Political Quotes

“I rise today to introduce the ``Small Passenger Vessel Safety Act of 2019''. This bill would prevent future tragedies like the one that happened onboard the Conception passenger vessel off the coast of Santa Cruz Island, California. This was the worst maritime disaster in modern California history, and my thoughts continue to be with the victims and their loved ones. On September 2, 2019, thirty-four people were tragically killed onboard the vessel when a fire started while passengers were sleeping below deck after a nighttime swim. The victims of the boat fire-- thirty-three passengers and one crewmember--were athletes, immigrants, CEO's, and students. All were united by love of the water, marine life, and their adventurous spirit. The Conception boat fire was a tragedy that must never be allowed to happen again. Reports indicate the fire consumed the boat, including the salon, galley compartment, and the aft deck, and causes include overloading of the electric system, possibly from rechargeable devices with lithium ion batteries. The lack of an interconnected fire alarm system throughout the vessel meant passengers and crew were not made aware of the fire until key areas of escape were already engulfed. Critical time--time that could have saved lives--was lost. This bill addresses these issues and potential causes.…”