In Los Angeles on Thursday, a federal judge sentenced Captain Jerry Boylan to four years in prison and three years of supervised release for criminal negligence following a tragic incident where 34 individuals lost their lives in a fire aboard a scuba dive boat on September 2, 2019. This blaze, the deadliest maritime disaster in recent U.S. history, prompted significant changes in maritime regulations, spurred congressional reform efforts, and resulted in multiple ongoing legal actions.
The incident occurred off Santa Cruz Island, resulting in the tragic loss of 33 passengers and a crew member. Boylan, the first to abandon ship, was found guilty last year of misconduct or neglect of ship officer duties, a charge colloquially known as seaman’s manslaughter. His defense argued for a five-year probationary sentence, but the judge ultimately handed down the four-year prison term considering Boylan’s age, health, and the need for deterrence and punishment.
Despite the conclusion of the criminal case, attention now shifts to ongoing lawsuits, including one filed by Truth Aquatics Inc., which operated the Conception, seeking to limit liability under maritime law. Victim families also have lawsuits against the Coast Guard for alleged lax enforcement of safety regulations.
