Posted by on March 30, 2005 at 09:55:32:
In Reply to: New Conception Photo Up - Ouch posted by Elaine on March 30, 2005 at 09:41:14:
[UPDATE-March 29th 10:00pm]
The Conception is still at berth and waiting for the weather to clear enough for the trip to Ventura where the boat repair yard is located. De-watering pumps are used constantly to prevent flooding while the boat remains in the water. The pictures above clearly show some of the damage sustained during the tow down the coast. Most evident are the missing portions of the bow which were torn free in rough seas. Glen remains in surprisingly good spirits and is optimistic that the Conception can be repaired. As for how long the repairs may take, at least a couple months is my guess but we will learn more after the Conception reaches the relative safety of the boat yard. [Chris Callahan]
[UPDATE-March 29th 10:00am]
After more than ten hours in tow the Conception approached the entrance to Ventura Harbor. Due to adverse weather conditions the boat was turned away and sent farther down the coast to wait at dock for the weather to calm. We are hoping for a window in the weather late Tuesday night that will allow another tugboat to take the Conception to the repair yard in Ventura. Currently the Conception is being kept afloat with several auxiliary pumps. I will be posting some pictures of the vessel at her current berth soon. [Chris Callahan]
[UPDATE-March 27th 11:15pm]
The second attempt to recover the Conception commenced around 10:00pm Sunday night with a favorable high tide of 5.3ft. Five days and several hundred hours of work went into preparing the Conception for the best possible chance of surviving the salvage effort. We at Truth Aquatics are happy to let you know the Conception slid off the beach shortly after 10:00pm and is currently under tow, enroute to Ventura Harbor for repairs. Pumps are being used to constantly de-water the boat as she makes the over 100 mile voyage to the relative safety of a repair yard. Only when the Conception has been lifted from the water and is supported by a repair cradle, will we be able to breathe a small sigh of relief. We will continue to remain optimistic and update you as we hear more. [Chris Callahan]
[UPDATE-March 27th 10:00am]
The attempt to recover Conception from the beach where she has been stranded since early Wednesday morning was unsuccessful. The salvage crew was able to move the boat but unfortunately caused some additional damage to the hull. Sunday will be spent repairing and reinforcing the hull for a second attempt late Sunday night. On a positive note, while the Conception was damaged during last night’s efforts the workers were able to change the direction the boat is facing, which may make tonight’s efforts a little easier. Again we ask you all, please keep the Conception in your thoughts tonight and we will keep you updated as we learn more. [Chris Callahan]
[UPDATE-March 26th 3:00pm]
It has taken three days of working around the clock to prepare the Conception for the salvage attempt. Additional material has been added to strengthen the hull and all unnecessary weight has been removed. Two tug companies have been enlisted to pull the Conception free. At 9:23pm on Saturday March 26th, with the high tide, we will attempt to free the Conception from the rocky beach where she has been stranded for the last four days. Please keep the Conception in your thoughts tonight and we will keep you updated as we learn more. [Chris Callahan]
[UPDATE-March 23rd 4:00pm]
On Wednesday, March 23rd at approximately 1:00am the Conception was stolen from its slip at Sea Landing in the Santa Barbara Harbor. The perpetrator(s) broke into the wheelhouse and managed to start the engines. As the Conception was being piloted through the harbor, it struck three other vessels, sinking one of them. Hours later the Conception was found grounded on a secluded beach near Point Arguello, about 50 miles north of its home port. Salvage efforts are being coordinated and Truth Aquatics remains optimistic about the vessel’s chances of being fully restored. [Adam Waskewics]