A federal judge in Los Angeles sentenced scuba dive boat captain Jerry Boylan to four years in prison and three years supervised release for his role in the deadliest maritime disaster in recent US history. The blaze on the Conception on Sept. 2, 2019, claimed the lives of 34 people and led to changes in maritime regulations, congressional reform, and ongoing lawsuits. Boylan was found guilty of misconduct or neglect of ship officer, a charge known as seaman’s manslaughter, which is intended to hold boat captains and crew accountable for maritime disasters.
During the hearing, family members of the victims emotionally pleaded with Judge George Wu, with many crying as they shared their grief. The father of the sole deckhand killed brought a small container with him containing his daughter’s belongings. The mother of a 16-year-old victim highlighted the pain of losing a child, expressing her anger and sadness at Boylan. The Conception was anchored off Santa Cruz Island when the fire broke out, trapping 33 passengers and a crew member in a bunkroom below deck.
Boylan’s defense attorney read a statement in court expressing remorse on behalf of Boylan, who claimed to have cried every day since the fire and wished he could have brought everyone home safely. Although Boylan was the first to abandon ship and jump overboard, he was ultimately held responsible for the tragic incident. The judge considered Boylan’s age, health, and unlikelihood of recurrence in determining his sentence, which was less than the requested maximum 10-year term. Boylan’s appeal is ongoing, but victims’ families emphasized the lasting impact on their lives.
The criminal case against Boylan lasted nearly five years and included a grand jury indictment on 34 counts of seaman’s manslaughter, which could have resulted in up to 340 years in prison. However, the charges were reduced due to Boylan’s attorneys’ arguments that the deaths resulted from a single incident rather than separate crimes. The cause of the blaze aboard the Conception remains undetermined, with prosecutors blaming Boylan for failing to meet safety requirements while his defense focused on the boat owner’s responsibilities.
With the criminal case now concluded, attention has shifted to ongoing lawsuits, including one filed by Truth Aquatics Inc., the boat’s operator, which seeks to limit liability using a maritime law provision. Victims’ families have also filed lawsuits against the Coast Guard, alleging lax enforcement of safety regulations. Although Boylan has been held accountable for his negligence, family members expressed disappointment at the sentence, reiterating the pain and loss they continue to endure. The tragic incident aboard the Conception has sparked changes in maritime safety practices and reinforced the importance of accountability in preventing future disasters.
