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On Tuesday, as horrifying details emerged about the fire that erupted on a scuba diving boat in the Channel Islands, we asked you to help us understand how this tragedy fits into a broader context.

Dozens of readers emailed — many of whom had taken scuba diving trips onboard the same boat, the Conception, a 75-foot scuba vessel — about similar overnight excursions. Most said they had great experiences, and while some said that the tightly packed bunks unsettled them, many others said they felt fine.

Still, as my colleagues reported, the ordeal has raised questions about maritime safety regulations.

My colleague Jose Del Real, who has been in Santa Barbara covering the aftermath of the fire, and I spoke to experienced divers who emailed us to learn more. Jose wrote this dispatch:

When Anna MacKinnon heard about the fire that killed 34 people early Monday morning off the coast of Southern California, she flashed back to her own unease, three years ago, aboard that same boat where the tragedy unfolded.

The scenery around the pristine Channel Islands was unmatched, she said, and the crew of the Conception was warm and professional. But when she saw the sleeping quarters on the boat — located below the galley on the bottom floor — she took note about how densely packed the bunk beds were.