A former dive boat captain, Jerry Nehl Boylan, has been sentenced to four years in prison by a federal judge for his role in a tragic incident that claimed the lives of 34 individuals in 2019. Boylan was convicted of negligence under the charge of “seaman’s manslaughter” after the devastating fire broke out on his vessel, The Conception.
The fire occurred on Labor Day morning while the boat was anchored near Santa Cruz Island, off the coast of California. Boylan, along with four other crew members, managed to escape the 75-foot vessel, but the passengers below deck were trapped, succumbing to smoke inhalation.
Boylan’s sentencing comes after a jury found him guilty of one federal felony count of misconduct or neglect of ship officer in 2023. Prosecutors highlighted Boylan’s failure to take appropriate actions during the emergency, including not attempting to combat the fire or aid passengers, inadequate fire drills and crew training, and the absence of a night watch.
The tragic incident was described by Robert Sumwalt, the chairman of the National Transportation Safety Board at the time, as the deadliest maritime accident in nearly seven decades.
US Attorney Martin Estrada emphasized that the catastrophe could have been prevented had Boylan fulfilled his duties and ensured proper training and safety measures for his crew.
While some relief was expressed by victims’ families over Boylan’s conviction, there was disappointment in the length of his sentence. Susana Solano Rosas, who lost three daughters in the fire, expressed her disillusionment with the justice system, stating that she had expected a longer sentence.
Boylan’s attorney has not yet provided a comment on the sentencing. In previous statements, the attorney representing the boat’s owner, Truth Aquatics, indicated that a crew member had inspected the area where the fire originated before the incident.
Investigations by the NTSB suggested that the fire may have been caused by cell phones and batteries left charging overnight, although a definitive cause could not be determined.