Jerry Nehl Boylan, former dive boat captain, has been convicted of neglect of a ship officer, also known as “seaman’s manslaughter,” in connection with an overnight fire that killed 34 people on board and caused a boat to sink off the coast of Santa Barbara, California.
The vessel, Conception, was on the final day of a three-day dive trip on September 2, 2019, when the fire broke out in the early morning hours as it was anchored near Santa Cruz Island in California’s Channel Islands. According to CNN, the jury found Boylan guilty of one federal felony count of misconduct or neglect of ship officer. The misconduct charge is punishable by up to 10 years in federal prison. A sentencing hearing is scheduled for February 8, and Boylan is free on a $75,000 bond.
Only five crew members, including Boylan, were able to escape, while 33 passengers and one crew member who were sleeping below deck died in the fire. This marked the deadliest maritime accident in nearly 70 years.
All 34 people killed died of smoke inhalation and suffered burns after losing consciousness.
