The 9th Circuit held that the USCG cannot be held liable for 34 wrongful deaths in the California diver boat “Conception” fire. 9th Circ. Bars Coast Guard Suit Over Conception Boat Fire By Tom Lotshaw January 30, 2026, 5:42 PM EST A split panel of the Ninth Circuit Friday affirmed a California fed…

I wonder how much blood is on the USCG and ABS hands after the Bouchard incident as well. Heads were turned during many of those inspections over the years.

Its America, cant you take civil action?

This was a civil lawsuit. All I’ve seen is a headline. I have not read the case. I don’t know the legal basis of the court’s decision.

wow so Gm or Ford make a dangerous car get sued yet boat builder makes one to USCG spec and USCG get away with it? I would go after chain of command and inspectors on the day of inspection in a civil suit

GM and Ford also follow Federal Motor Vehicle Standards. You typically can’t sue the government because of sovereign immunity. You do understand that if it was easy to sue the federal government, it all would eventually come out of the small pockets of the working man?

yes agreed Was the conception 100% compliant You need to target individuals

this suit was a civil action. the attorneys for the plaintiffs had only to discuss the matter with a admiralty attorney to know that this was a waste of time and money for the plaintiffs. it was noted in last year’s issue of proceeding regarding this matter that that prior to this event, there were…

the captain went to jail if they wanted to make this a civil action, they should have brought suit again the dive company

I believe the captain is still out on bail while his appeal is pending. Given his age, poor health, and the toll this has taken on him, he may well die before he gets to prison.

why is he going to prison? USCG allows people to sleep in a deck with no smoke detectors

No USCG liability for Dive Boat Fire

Professional Mariner Forum

portofdc February 5, 2026, 1:57am 15

What? Or maybe it was just the 3rd’s poor seamanship.

Direct Perception vs Representation - the one exception for 3rd mates

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No USCG liability for Dive Boat Fire

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