Scott Chan and Kendra Chan Among 34 Dead in Diving Boat Fire near Channel Islands [SANTA BARBARA, CA]

Father and Daughter who Bonded Over Diving Trips are Among Latest Victims Identified in California Boat Fire

 
SANTA BARBARA, CA (September 2, 2019) – The identities of more victims have emerged in the massive California boat fire that killed 34 people onboard, including a teacher and his daughter who bonded over diving.
 
Raymond “Scott” Chan, 59, a Fremont high school physics teacher, and his 26-year-old daughter Kendra Chan, a wildlife biologist, were killed when the doomed diving boat. The Conception caught fire and sank off the coast of Southern California early Monday on Labor Day.
 
Scott was an accomplished electrical engineer who worked for legacy Silicon Valley company Juniper Networks but retired early to pursue other passions such as teaching physics and volunteering.
 
Kendra was a biologist with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in Ventura. She loved to explore the natural world by hiking, backpacking and diving.
 
Father and daughter, from Los Altos, connected over their shared love of scuba diving.
 
They would go to the Channel Islands two to three times a year for weekend diving excursions such as the one they were on when the 75-foot commercial diving vessel Conception caught fire and sank in the waters off Southern California, killing them and 32 others.
 
Vicki Moore, Chan’s wife and Kendra’s mother, struggled to comprehend the tragic loss.
 
Moore told the outlet that she had dropped her husband off at Santa Barbara Harbor Friday night and met Kendra, who lived in Oxnard, there. She had planned to pick both of them up on Monday.
 
Thirty-three passengers and one crew member were still aboard the ship when it sank, officials said. Other victims were identified as Kristy Finstad, Neal Baltz, Patricia Beitzinger, Allie Kurtz, Berenice Felipe, Tia Salika, Steve Salika, Diana Adamic, Evan Quitasol, Nicole Quitasol, Angela Quitasol, Fernisa Sison, Michael Quitasol, Charles McIlvain, Marybeth Guiney, Lisa Fiedler, and Mike Kohls.
 
It is still unknown what started the fire. Authorities said flames roared through a boat so quickly that it appeared none of the people below deck could escape.

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We hope the families and friends of Scott and Kendra Chan are surrounded by steadfast and comforting support as they grieve for the loss of their loved ones.

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If you had a family member involved in this tragic boat fire accident, please contact the Sweet Lawyers today. We understand that the death of a loved one is an extremely difficult time and can take a great toll on your wellbeing, but we believe we can help you when it comes to the legalities. We will commit our vast resources and pool of knowledge to litigate those at fault until we acquire justice for you and your loved one. Our commitment is unwavering and we will work with you every step of the legal process. Call us at (800) 674 7852 for a free evaluation of your case details.