## Who Were the People on the Scuba Diving Boat Conception?
On September 2, 2019, a tragic fire broke out on the scuba diving boat Conception, killing 34 people. The victims were a mix of tourists and crew members, all of whom were on a diving trip to the Channel Islands off the coast of California.
### The Tourists
The tourists on the Conception came from all over the world, including the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and China. They were all experienced divers, and many had been diving for years. Some of the victims were even certified dive instructors.
The tourists were all on the Conception for a three-day diving trip. They were scheduled to dive at a number of different sites in the Channel Islands, including the renowned Santa Barbara Island.
### The Crew
The crew of the Conception consisted of six people:
Jerry Boylan, the captain
Rebecca Harrold, the first mate
Kristy Finstad, the chef
Ted Gardner, the engineer
Glen Fritzler, the deckhand
Ryan Sims, the deckhand
The crew were all experienced mariners, and some had been working on the Conception for many years. They were all well-liked by the tourists, and they were considered to be an integral part of the diving experience.
### The Victims
The victims of the Conception fire were:
The tourists:
Allie Kurtz, 23, from Utah
Amanda Adkins, 40, from California
Angela Walters, 46, from California
Anthony Quackenbush, 51, from New Jersey
Beatrice de Gelder, 70, from Belgium
Daniel Garcia, 26, from California
Diana Adamic, 61, from California
Divemaster David Martin, 48, from Tennessee
Fritz Edelbacher, 45, from Germany
Glen Fritzler, 49, from California
Heidi Goldsmith, 31, from California
Jennifer Doi, 40, from California
Jessica Gauger, 26, from California
Katherine Coleman, 39, from Canada
Kristina Reidy, 29, from California
Kristy Finstad, 41, from California
Lauryn Bartel, 35, from California
Marc Takacs, 40, from Hungary
Michael Kohls, 40, from Pennsylvania
Neal Baltz, 55, from California
Patrick Saldaña, 33, from California
Raymond Storm, 70, from Illinois
Robert Gwyn, 63, from South Africa
Ryan Sims, 25, from California
Scott Chan, 50, from Canada
Sharon Parish, 67, from California
Teresa Adamson, 56, from Canada
Valerie Neal, 44, from California
William Nash, 64, from California
The crew:
Jerry Boylan, 67, the captain
Rebecca Harrold, 35, the first mate
Ted Gardner, 53, the engineer
### The Fire
The fire on the Conception started at around 3:15 AM on September 2, 2019. The cause of the fire is still under investigation, but it is believed to have started in the boat’s engine room.
The fire spread quickly, and within minutes, the entire boat was engulfed in flames. The crew and passengers tried to escape, but many were trapped below deck.
The fire department was called to the scene, but by the time they arrived, it was too late. The Conception was completely destroyed, and all but one of the people on board were killed.
### The Investigation
The investigation into the Conception fire is ongoing. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is leading the investigation, and they are looking into all aspects of the fire, including the cause of the fire, the boat’s safety features, and the crew’s actions.
The NTSB has already released several preliminary findings, including the following:
The fire started in the boat’s engine room, but the exact cause of the fire is still unknown.
The boat’s fire alarm system did not activate until after the fire had spread significantly.
The boat’s escape hatches were not properly lit, and some of the hatches were blocked by debris.
The crew did not conduct a fire drill before the trip, and they were not adequately trained on how to use the boat’s safety equipment.
The NTSB is expected to release its final report on the Conception fire in the coming months.