A federal judge in Los Angeles has sentenced scuba dive boat captain Jerry Boylan to four years in prison and three years supervised release for criminal negligence after 34 people died in a fire aboard the vessel in September 2019. The blaze was the deadliest maritime disaster in recent U.S. history, leading to changes in maritime regulations, congressional reform, and multiple ongoing lawsuits. Boylan was found guilty of misconduct or neglect of a ship officer, a charge known as seaman’s manslaughter. Family members of the victims pleaded with the judge to give Boylan the maximum 10-year sentence, expressing their pain and loss in an emotional hearing.
The fire occurred on the Conception, which was anchored off Santa Cruz Island when it caught fire, trapping 33 passengers and a crew member below deck. Those who perished included a variety of individuals, such as an environmental scientist, a deckhand, and a family of three sisters. Boylan was the first to abandon ship and jump overboard, along with four crew members who also survived. He expressed his condolences during the hearing, stating that he cries every day since the fire and wishing he could have brought everyone home safely.
U.S. District Judge George Wu took Boylan’s age, health, and remorse into account when determining the sentence. While acknowledging Boylan’s reckless behavior, Wu noted that guidelines did not warrant a 10-year sentence, agreeing to a four-year term. Boylan’s defense had requested a five-year probation with three years of house arrest. Hank Garcia, a father of one of the victims, emphasized that the families are enduring a loss that will last a lifetime and called for accountability to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
The prosecution against Boylan has been a lengthy process, lasting almost five years, and initially included a larger number of charges before being reduced to a single count of misconduct. Disagreements over the cause of the fire were a central point of contention during the trial, with the government attributing the disaster to Boylan’s negligence in maintaining a roving night watch and proper firefighting training for the crew. Boylan’s attorneys attempted to shift blame to the boat owners, alleging that they were responsible for safety lapses and a permissive work culture that neglected key safety measures.
With the criminal case against Boylan concluded, attention has shifted to multiple ongoing lawsuits related to the incident. Truth Aquatics, the company that operated the Conception, has filed a suit to limit liability under maritime law, which could potentially shield the owners from additional financial damages. Victims’ families have also filed lawsuits against the Coast Guard for alleged lax enforcement of safety requirements. Following the sentencing, family members expressed disappointment and heartbreak, emphasizing the ongoing pain they experience as they continue to seek justice and accountability for their loved ones.
