A community gathering and vigil will be held Thursday evening at the aquarium beneath the Santa Monica Pier.
The ocean protection organization Heal the Bay will host the vigil from 6 to 10 p.m. at its aquarium to grieve the 34 victims of the Conception boat fire, including two Santa Monicans, Charles Mcllvain and Marybeth Guiney. Guiney was a Heal the Bay cleanup volunteer and donor dating back to 2011, according to a Heal the Bay press release.
"Our hope is to bring together family, friends, the diving community and the general public to grieve," a spokesperson said.
The vigil will begin with a potluck at 6 p.m. At 7 p.m., Heal the Bay CEO Shelley Luce, Assemblymember Richard Bloom and Councilmember Greg Morena will make remarks. The event will also provide an open mic for storytelling and sharing.
At 7:45 p.m., attendees will walk down to the beach carrying dive lights and candles to hear bagpipes in memory of the victims. Attendees will then gather at Rusty's Surf Ranch on the Santa Monica Pier.
Heal the Bay asks attendees to bring dive lights and a dish to share. Candles will be provided.
madeleine@smdp.com
