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.
