SANTA BARBARA - The Coast Guard is out with a safety bulletin following the dive boat fire that killed 34 people Labor Day.

It recommends that commercial boat operators limit unsupervised charging of cellphones and other electronics.

Members of the National Transportation Safety Board have said that how batteries and electronics were stored and charged on the boat was being scrutinized.

Boat operators also should "reduce potential fire hazards and consider limiting the unsupervised charging of lithium-ion batteries and extensive use of power strips and extension cords," the Coast Guard bulletin said.

A total of 39 people were asleep aboard the boat for a holiday weekend diving expedition off the Channel Islands. The Concepcion was at anchor when the fire started. Five crew members who were on the deck fled and were rescued. The victims, ranging in age from 16 to 62, apparently died from smoke inhalation, authorities have said.

Story Date: September 18, 2019