LOS ANGELES – Jerry Nehl Boylan, 70, of Santa Barbara, was sentenced to 48 months in federal prison for his role in the 2019 Labor Day dive boat disaster that resulted in the deaths of 34 people.
Boylan, the captain of the 75-foot passenger vessel P/V Conception, was found guilty of one count of misconduct or neglect of ship officer, a charge commonly referred to as “seaman’s manslaughter.” The jury delivered the verdict in November 2023 after a 10-day trial.
The Conception had docked in Santa Barbara Harbor and was on a dive trip in the early morning hours of September 2, 2019, when a fire broke out while the boat was anchored in Platt’s Harbor near Santa Cruz Island. The fire engulfed the vessel, leading to its sinking and the loss of 34 lives. Five crew members, including Boylan, were able to escape.
Prosecutors argued that Boylan’s series of failures, including abandoning the ship instead of attempting to rescue passengers, led to the disaster. As captain, he was responsible for the safety and security of the vessel, its passengers, and its crew. However, he failed to take necessary precautions, including having a night watch or roving patrol, conducting sufficient fire drills and crew training, and providing instructions to crew members after the fire started.
The victims’ families will be forever devastated by this needless tragedy, said United States Attorney Martin Estrada. “The defendant’s cowardice and repeated failures caused the horrific deaths of 34 people. While today’s sentence cannot fully heal their wounds, we hope that our efforts to hold this defendant criminally accountable brings some measure of healing to the families.”
Boylan’s sentence was handed down by United States District Judge George H. Wu. A restitution hearing is scheduled for July 11. The case was a joint effort by investigators and prosecutors, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, and the Coast Guard Investigative Service.
“There are no winners when lives are lost at sea, but there is justice in bringing those accountable to answer for their crimes,” said Coast Guard Investigative Service Director Jeremy Gauthier. “This was in its truest form, a joint effort by our hard-charging CGIS Special Agents, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.”
Boylan’s sentencing brings some measure of closure to the victims’ families, but the pain and loss they suffered will be felt for a lifetime. The case serves as a reminder of the importance of prioritizing safety and security in all aspects of life, particularly when it comes to the welfare of others.
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Key Facts
- State: California
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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