California Dive Boat Captain Convicted in Deadly Fire that Killed 34
Former dive boat captain Jerry Nehl Boylan has been convicted of neglect of a ship officer, also known as "seaman's manslaughter," in connection with a 2019 fire that killed 34 people on board the Conception off the coast of Santa Barbara, California. Boylan was found guilty of one federal felony count of misconduct or neglect of a ship officer. The fire, which was the deadliest maritime accident in nearly 70 years, broke out during a three-day dive trip and only five crew members were able to escape. Boylan is scheduled for sentencing on February 8 and could face up to 10 years in federal prison.