In a major development, a former dive boat captain has been convicted of neglect of a ship officer, commonly known as "seaman's manslaughter," for his role in a tragic fire that occurred on Labor Day 2019. Prosecutors announced that Jerry Nehl Boylan, 69, was found guilty of one federal felony count of misconduct or neglect of a ship officer. The incident took place off the coast of Santa Barbara, California, and resulted in the death of 34 people on board the vessel, named the Conception. The boat sank as a result of the fire, marking the deadliest maritime accident in almost 70 years.

The Conception, a 75-foot vessel, was on the final day of a three-day dive trip when the fire broke out in the early morning hours while it was anchored near Santa Cruz Island in California's Channel Islands. Tragically, only five crew members, including Boylan, were able to escape, while 33 passengers and one crew member who were sleeping below deck lost their lives due to smoke inhalation and burns. Former National Transportation Safety Board Chairman Robert Sumwalt has described the incident as the deadliest maritime accident in nearly 70 years.

During the 10-day trial, prosecutors argued that Boylan neglected his duties as a captain in several ways, including not attempting to fight the fire or rescue passengers, failing to conduct sufficient fire drills or crew training, and not setting a night watch. According to reports, Boylan was the first crew member to abandon ship, leaving dozens trapped below deck. The prosecution contended that Boylan's actions, or lack thereof, could have prevented the tragedy had he fulfilled his responsibilities.

The misconduct charge Boylan faced carries a maximum sentence of up to 10 years in federal prison. He is scheduled to be sentenced on February 8 and is currently free on a $75,000 bond. Boylan's defense attorneys have not yet provided a comment on the conviction.

Investigations into the cause of the fire have suggested that it may have been triggered by cell phones and batteries left charging overnight. However, it has not been possible to definitively determine the exact cause. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) faulted the boat's operator, Truth Aquatics, for not having a crew member patrol the craft as an overnight watchman, as required by the boat's license and Coast Guard regulations. The NTSB's investigators concluded that the tragedy could have been prevented if a night patrol had discovered the fire in its early stages, allowing time for the crew to fight the fire and evacuate those below deck.

The boat's owner, Truth Aquatics, filed a lawsuit under a pre-Civil War provision of maritime law that limits its liability to the value of the remains of the boat. Several civil lawsuits filed by victims' families against the Coast Guard for alleged lax enforcement of the roving watch requirement are also ongoing.

The guilty verdict against Boylan has brought some relief and closure to the loved ones of the victims. Families of those who perished in the fire expressed gratitude that Boylan has been held accountable for his role in the tragedy. They believe that the verdict sends a strong message to other captains and serves as a reminder of their responsibility for the safety of passengers on board. While the criminal trial has concluded, the impact of this devastating incident will continue to be felt through ongoing civil lawsuits and efforts to improve maritime regulations and safety measures.