IMAGERY AVAILABLE: Coast Guard conducts training for new passenger safety reform in San Diego

U.S. Coast Guard sent this bulletin at 07/08/2021 01:07 PM EDT

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U.S. Coast Guard 11th District PA Detachment San Diego
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Coast Guard conducts training for new passenger safety reform in San Diego

A Coast Guard marine inspector searches for electrical fire hazards during a training exercise in the San Diego Harbor on July 7, 2021. There were five scenarios conducted on the fishing vessel Excalibur; all of which are aimed at a bigger overhaul reducing passenger vessel safety infractions that might result in deaths at sea. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Adam Stanton.)
A Coast Guard boarding team approaches the fishing vessel Excalibur during a training exercise in the San Diego Harbor on July 7, 2021. In this scenario the boarding team cannot reach the captain of the Excalibur and the goal is to establish communications and verify the watch is being stood. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Adam Stanton.) Members with the Coast Guard’s prevention and inspection departments discuss how well the training exercise went aboard the fishing vessel Excalibur in the San Diego Harbor on July 7, 2021. Members ran through scenarios that contained real-life safety violations; this new reform focuses on mitigating passenger vessel safety infractions that might result in deaths at sea. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Adam Stanton.) Coast Guard Petty Officer 1st Class Troy Dostart inspects the fishing vessel Excalibur during a training exercise in the San Diego Harbor on July 7, 2021. In this scenario, Dostart is talking with Chuck Taft, Captain of the Excalibur, to see if his documents are valid and within law. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Adam Stanton.)

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SAN DIEGO — San Diego Coast Guard members conducted training exercises with the fishing vessel Excalibur Wednesday in the San Diego Harbor.

The exercises are part of a Coast Guard wide overhaul aimed at reducing passenger vessel safety infractions that could result in deaths at sea. 

Coast Guard Sector San Diego crewmembers ran through scenarios that contained real-life safety violations, such as expired safety equipment, fire hazards, obstructed emergency exits, non-responsive vessel and no watchstander on deck.

“The Coast Guard is taking a hard look at what we do and how we do it in response to the fire aboard the Conception,” said Capt. Greg Callaghan, the Eleventh Coast Guard District Prevention chief. “We are looking at where we can improve things and where we can take advantage of opportunities to ensure that passenger vessels are operating safely.”

The Conception, a scuba dive passenger ship, caught fire off the coast of California in September 2019, killing 34 people. This tragedy prompted the Coast Guard and Congress to reexamine their small passenger vessel regulations.

“This reform is in the roll-out phase and will be tested throughout the district,” said Callaghan. “We are enhancing what we already do on the inspection and prevention side by expanding our at-sea capabilities.”

Additional exercises are planned within the next few months throughout California.

-USCG-