adopted more than two decades ago to improve passenger safety during emergencies, according to a Times data analysis.
The Times’ data analysis raised alarms with several in California‘s congressional delegation. Rep. Julia Brownley said in a statement that Congress “must eliminate the hazards posed by boats grandfathered in under outdated safety regulations.”The old safety standards paint “a clear picture of why we need immediate action to modernize our regulations,” he said in a statement. “I know we must take the necessary steps to ensure our vessels and waters are safe for all who use them.
A preliminary investigation of the Conception fire found major breakdowns in required safety procedures on the vessel owned by Truth Aquatics, including inadequate crew training and thewhich is required at all times while passenger bunks are occupied to alert people sleeping below deck of an emergency.
The dive boat Magician, which was built in 1975, regularly takes scuba groups and biologists conducting federal studies to Santa Catalina Island and other areas. Mayhugh, a marine biologist who taught at the college level, said it became clear he would need a better fire-detection system.