A federal judge in Los Angeles sentenced scuba dive boat captain Jerry Boylan to four years in prison for criminal negligence after 34 people died in a fire aboard the vessel in September 2019. Boylan was found guilty of misconduct or neglect of a ship officer, a charge known as seaman’s manslaughter. Family members of the victims urged the judge to give Boylan the maximum 10-year sentence but he ultimately received four years in prison and three years supervised release.
The fire aboard the Conception, which was anchored off Santa Cruz Island, resulted in the deaths of 33 passengers and a crew member who were trapped in a bunkroom below deck. Boylan was the first to abandon ship, along with four crew members who also survived. During the sentencing hearing, family members of the victims expressed their grief and pain, emphasizing the impact of their losses. Boylan’s attorney read a statement in which he expressed his condolences and regret for the tragic incident.
Although Boylan’s attorney requested a five-year probationary sentence, the judge took into account various factors, including Boylan’s age and health, in determining the sentence. The judge acknowledged that Boylan’s behavior was reckless but did not warrant a 10-year sentence. Family members of the victims described their ongoing pain and loss, sharing that they have a “life sentence” without their loved ones. The U.S. Attorney stated that while the sentencing cannot fully heal the wounds of the families, they hope it brings some measure of healing.
The prosecution of Boylan has lasted nearly five years and has been fraught with legal challenges. Initially facing 34 counts of seaman’s manslaughter, Boylan eventually faced one count after legal disputes over the specifics of the charges. The cause of the blaze aboard the Conception remains undetermined, but blame was assigned during the trial, with prosecutors faulting Boylan for failing to post a required roving night watch. Boylan’s defense sought to shift blame to the owners of Truth Aquatics Inc., who operated the vessel.
With the conclusion of the criminal case, attention now turns to ongoing lawsuits related to the incident. Truth Aquatics filed suit to limit liability under maritime law, while victims’ families have filed lawsuits against the Coast Guard for alleged lax enforcement of safety regulations. There is also ongoing speculation regarding the responsibility of the owners of the vessel in ensuring crew safety and training. The tragedy has prompted significant changes to maritime regulations, congressional reform, and a renewed focus on maritime safety.
