Boat captain found guilty of setting fire claimed lives of 34 persons

The person in charge of a dive boat that caught fire and caused the death of 34 people in California four years ago has been found responsible for not taking proper care in their duties.

Jerry Boylan, who is 69 years old, was found guilty of a crime called “seaman’s manslaughter” after a trial that lasted for 10 days in Los Angeles.

The lawyers said the captain did not have someone watching at night or do fire practice as the law says he should.

All 33 people who were on the boat and one crew member who was sleeping below deck died – one of the worst accidents at sea in California.

The fire started early in the morning on September 2, 2019, when the Conception boat was parked near Santa Cruz Island, which is located south of Santa Barbara, in Platt’s Harbour.

It was organizing a trip for people to go diving during the Labour Day holiday weekend.

Boylan was one of five crew members who were able to get away from the fire on the 75ft (23m) boat. They got away by jumping off the boat and swimming to another boat close by.

The people on the ship said that the fire was too strong to rescue anyone stuck in the passenger rooms.
United States Attorney Martin Estrada said that the ship captain’s extreme fearfulness caused the deaths of 34 people on Labor Day 2019, which cannot be forgiven.

The jury determined that this sad event could have been prevented if Mr. Boylan had just done his job properly. We hope that the decision made today brings some comfort and resolution to the families and friends of the victims.

Boylan might go to jail for up to 10 years and will find out what happens on 8 February.

The tragedy affected a Californian family of five who were celebrating a birthday.

Michael Quitasol, along with his daughters Evan, Nicole, and Angela Quitasol, and his wife, Fernisa Sison, were all on the Conception when the fire started.

Other people who were also affected are a marine scientist named Kristy Finstad, a science teacher named Scott Chan and his daughter Kendra, and a couple from Arizona named Patricia Beitzinger and Neal Baltz.