Truth Aquatics, the operator of Conception has halted its operations due to many federal investigations taking part for the vessel’s loss, commenting that it is important to make their boats models with new regulation to continue cooperating with NTSB and the Coast Guard.
The operator stated
With the continued calls and request for tours, we want to announce that we are officially suspending all operations of our Truth Aquatic fleet for a to-be-determined amount of time. We apologize to our customers who have been seeking reservations as well as those with reservations – and truly appreciate the expressions of support.
The ill-fated boat burned and sank on September 2, resulting to the loss of 33 passengers and one crewmember. The fast-moving flames are believed to have trapped the passengers who were sleeping at that time in the vessel’s lower decks.
Following the fatality, the Coast Guard Investigative Service, the FBI and the US Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives issued a search warrant at the offices of Truth Aquatics, commenting that it’s a typical process of an investigation.