SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (AP) - The first anniversary of the scuba boat fire that killed 34 people off Southern California was commemorated Wednesday at Santa Barbara Harbor, where the ill-fated trip began and memorial has been put in place.
Relatives of those who died and first responders came to view the plaque bearing the names of the 33 divers and one crew member who died.
In a recorded online remembrance, Harbor Patrol Officer Ryan Kelly recalled how he responded with partner Karl Halamicek in a patrol boat when the MV Conception was reported ablaze off Santa Cruz Island shortly after 3 a.m. on Sept. 2, 2019.
“It would turn out to be the most tragic call of our careers,” Kelly said.
The plaque is located on a boulder on the breakwater near the harbor’s Lost at Sea memorial, which is adorned with mementos of the Conception victims.
The online event included recorded video messages by local officials to the families of those who died.
“May you find peace,” said Santa Barbara Mayor Cathy Murillo.
The Conception’s captain and four crew members barely escaped after trying to save the others, authorities have said. Investigations into the cause of the inferno and whether someone is to blame are still ongoing.
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