Five years ago this coming Labor Day—Monday, September 2, 2024—America awoke to the tragic news of California’s worst maritime disaster in modern history. The dive boat M/V Conception had caught fire just offshore from Santa Cruz Island, California. Haunting images of the boat engulfed in flames were televised internationally along with the captain’s frantic 3:15 AM call: “Mayday, mayday, mayday! Thirty-nine P.O.B…I can’t breathe!” Shortly after sunrise, the Coast Guard, firefighters, and first responders confirmed there were thirty-four lives lost and five surviving crew.
On this 5th Labor Day anniversary, a month from now, Santa Barbara and Ventura County sheriffs; search and rescue; first responders; firefighters; medical personnel; an FBI investigator; family members, friends and others interested will gather to remember and honor them and their adventuresome spirit – the Island spirit – with the unveiling of a Conceptionpropeller monument set in the Courtyard Garden of the Chrisman California Islands Center.
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