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Report: Santa Cruz high school students aboard dive boat in deadly fire

by in News

SANTA CRUZ — Students from a Santa Cruz high school were reportedly aboard the boat that caught fire and sank early Monday off the coast of Southern California.

Nine people from the dive-boat Conception remained missing Tuesday morning, while 25 passengers were confirmed dead, authorities said.

KGO-TV, this news organization’s media partner, reported a Pacific Collegiate School official confirmed Tuesday that multiple students were on the boat, and said grief counselors were on the campus today.

A woman who answered the phone at Pacific Collegiate School on Tuesday morning said she was not authorized to release any information, saying, “Right now our priority is to support students and staff.”

School officials did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The public charter school for grades 7 through 12 often ranks among the top high schools in California.

At least one other person with ties to Santa Cruz was among the 39 people aboard the boat.

Diving instructor Kristy Finstad was helping to lead the weekend diving trip off the Channel Islands, according to a Facebook post by her brother, Brett Harmeling. Finstad is the co-owner of Santa Cruz-based diving company Worldwide Diving Adventures, which chartered the boat.

Reached by phone late Monday afternoon, Harmeling said he still hadn’t heard any information about his sister from officials, more than 12 hours after officials said the boat caught fire. Harmeling didn’t want to comment further.

Five of the crew members jumped off the dive boat and were evacuated by people onboard a nearby pleasure vessel, The Grape Escape, the U.S. Coast Guard said. Two of the crew members had minor injuries, said Coast Guard Petty Officer Mark Barney.

Search and rescue efforts continued Monday, but Coast Guard Captain Monica Rochester said it was time to prepare for the “worst outcome.”

Check back for updates. The Associated Press contributed reporting.