Edhat Staff
Photo: John Palminteri / KEYT
By edhat staff
Local residents have set up makeshift memorials for the victims of the Conception boat fire at the Santa Barbara Harbor.
Candles, flowers, and heartfelt notes are placed along the fence near Sea Landing and the dolphin statue to honor the numerous lives lost on Monday.
The 75-foot Santa Barbara-based diving boat, Conception, was chartered for a three-day Labor Day weekend diving expedition to the Channel Islands. While docked off the Santa Cruz Island early Monday morning, the boat caught fire.
It’s currently unclear what caused the fire, but investigators believe the 34 passengers were asleep when the fire broke out.
There were 39 people on board, 5 were rescued, 25 bodies have been recovered and 9 are still missing.
Santa Barbara and Ventura locals join the diving community to mourn the loss.
A press conference is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. Tuesday to provide updates on the latest findings.
