b'Using the M/VConceptionscloseawakenedat0312,approximately37 Although the ATF report has likely sister, the M/V Vision, ATF investi- minutes later, by the sound of a firedeterminedthefiresorigin,inves-gators built a mockup of the mainon the salon deck below. tigatorsstillhavenotlearnedwhat deck level of Conception to test outignitedthefire.TheATFsaidthe variousfirescenariosfocusingoncause remains undetermined as in-thefiresinceptionandspread.Although the ATFvestigators cannot rule out discarded Thoughthevesselhadburnedtosmoking material, the open flame ig-the waterline and sank, ATF investi- report has likelynition of combustible materials such gators still had information to workdetermined the firesas paper towels located with the gar-withincludingwitnessstatementsbage container, or an event unknown from surviving crewmembers, pho- origin, investigatorsto investigators.tosandvideosoftheboatbeforestill have not learned the fire, and some physical evidencewhat ignited the fire. TheNTSBsMarineAccidentReport,from the wreckage.published in 2020, before the conclu-sion of the ATFs fire modeling, also A crewmember told NTSB and couldnotdefinitivelydeterminethe CoastGuardcasualtyinvestigatorsAccording to the ATF report, a firecauseofthefire,butstatedthefire that he had dumped four small trashintheplastictrash-canproducedre- most likely was caused by the electri-bins into the polyethylene trash cansults consistent with the available ev- cal distribution system of the vessel, locatedunderneaththeladderaftidence and witness statements in thatunattendedbatteriesbeingcharged, of the salon at about 0235 on the itmeltedintwominutes,caughtaimproperly discarded smoking materi-morning of the casualty before head- nearby life ring on fire in 10 minutes,als, or another undetermined ignition ing up to the crew space aft of theand had the salon engulfed in flamessource. The Coast Guard has issued bridge. The same crewmember waswithin15minutes. alerts and recommendations as to the Images from the NTSB Marine Accident Report show the location on board the M/V Conception where an ATF report places the fire origin. Left, a large trash can is stowed under the ladder prior to 2019. Right; in 2019, a set of wooden shelves was been installed under the ladder requiring a smaller plastic trash can. Note that the trash can and deck box inhibit access to the life ring. 33 SEPTEMBER 2023'