Trial Begins for Captain of California Boat Fire That Killed 34 in 2019

71-year-old ship captain Jerry Boylan charged with misconduct and neglect leading to the deadly 2019 boat fire; faces 10 years in prison if convicted amid allegations of breaking safety protocols and gross negligence in the deadly maritime disaster off the coast of Santa Barbara.

The trial of the captain of the Conception, a diving boat that caught fire off the coast of Santa Barbara killing 34 people, has begun. The captain, 71-year-old Jerry Boylan, has been charged with misconduct and neglect leading to the deadly fire and faces ten years in prison if convicted.
Prosecutors claim Boylan was negligent in failing to implement a roving night watch or conduct proper fire drills on the boat. The fire, which broke out in the early hours of the morning, trapped 34 passengers below deck as the flames blocked both exits.
Boylan has pleaded not guilty to the charges. His legal defense is expected to argue that he followed the protocols outlined by the boat's owner, Truth Aquatics. Boylan is a veteran seaman with a long history at Truth Aquatics.
There is still uncertainty around the cause of the fire. Although initial speculation centered around a middle deck area where divers plugged in electronic devices, a confidential report suggests that the blaze began in a plastic trash can on the main deck.
Truth Aquatics, the boat's owner, filed a lawsuit under a provision of maritime law that allows it to limit its liability to the remains of the boat. However, recent updates to federal law could allow boat owners to be held liable for damages, regardless of the boat’s value afterwards. This act is not retroactive and will not apply to the Conception fire.