A former dive boat captain could be sentenced to up to 10 years in prison on Thursday for a negligence conviction known as “seaman’s manslaughter” following a tragic incident in 2019. Jerry Nehl Boylan was found guilty of one federal felony count of misconduct or neglect of ship officer last year.
The incident occurred on Labor Day morning when a fire broke out on the boat, The Conception, anchored near Santa Cruz Island in California. The fire claimed the lives of 34 individuals, including 33 passengers and one crew member below deck, making it the deadliest maritime accident in nearly 70 years.
Prosecutors revealed that Boylan, one of the five crew members who survived, failed to take necessary actions to combat the fire or rescue passengers. They also highlighted his lack of conducting fire drills, crew training, and setting a night watch as contributing factors to the tragedy.
US Attorney Martin Estrada expressed hope that the verdict would provide some solace and closure to the loved ones of the victims. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigators suggested that the fire may have been caused by cell phones and batteries left charging overnight, although a definitive cause could not be determined.
Initially charged with manslaughter, Boylan's charge was dismissed in 2022. The boat's owner, Truth Aquatics, mentioned that a crew member had checked the area where the fire originated before it erupted.
The sentencing of Boylan serves as a reminder of the importance of adhering to safety protocols and responsibilities at sea to prevent such tragic incidents from occurring in the future.
