Cause of California diving boat fire remains unknown

Federal agents also searched the company’s boats the Vision and the Truth, officials said.

“This is all just part of the ongoing investigation,” Raney said. “The Coast Guard was assisted by ATF, which is investigating the fire and the FBI, which has expertise in criminal investigations.”

High winds and strong currents delayed the search and rescue on Monday.

“Reports that the remaining body not recovered is for certain in the boat are inaccurate,” Raney said. “We are not sure where that body is. We need to get divers back in the water to search parts of the boat that were unstable during prior searches.”

Thirty-three bodies have been recovered and one remains missing, the sheriff’s office said.

Investigation of similar boat led to safety concerns

After investigating a similar boat owned by the same company, National Transportation and Safety Board (NTSB) board member Jennifer Homendy told CNN she has several safety concerns, including whether there is proper equipment for detecting and suppressing fire.

“We’re looking into the adequacy of smoke detectors and were there enough fire extinguishers,” Homendy said.

The escape hatch in the lower bunk level on the Vision — the similar boat — was small and difficult to see, access and maneuver, she said.

The NTSB will be evaluating whether there were “issues with evacuation or responses” or “escape survival factors,” Homendy said. She said officials had already interviewed the owner-operator of the dive boat, but didn’t offer any further details.