Boylan was convicted of one count of misconduct or neglect of ship officer, a pre-Civil War statute known as seaman's manslaughter.
Boylan, who did not testify, will remain free until sentencing on Feb. 8, where he could face up to 10 years in federal prison.
Former Conception dive boat captain Jerry Boylan was found guilty of gross negligence in the deaths of 34 people in a boat fire in 2019.
The defense argued that Boylan was following the practices of the boat's owner, Truth Aquatics, which did not use an overnight watch.
In a landmark case, former Conception dive boat captain Jerry Boylan was found guilty of gross negligence, leading to the deaths of 34 people in a boat fire in 2019. This incident marked the deadliest maritime disaster in recent U.S. history. Boylan was convicted of one count of misconduct or neglect of ship officer, a pre-Civil War statute colloquially known as seaman's manslaughter. He is the only person to face criminal charges connected to the fire.
The prosecution argued that Boylan failed to appoint a night watch or to drill his crew in fire safety, which contributed to the tragic outcome. However, the defense countered that Boylan was following the practices of the boat's owner, Truth Aquatics, which did not traditionally use an overnight watch. Boylan's attorneys also sought to pin blame on boat owner Glen Fritzler, who with his wife owns Truth Aquatics Inc., which operated the Conception and two other scuba dive boats.
Despite the verdict, the exact cause of the blaze remains undetermined. Boylan, who did not testify during the trial, will remain free until sentencing on Feb. 8, where he could face up to 10 years in federal prison. Several civil lawsuits remain ongoing, including one filed by Truth Aquatics, which operated the boat, to limit its liability to the value of the remains of the boat.
Boylan's attorneys sought to pin blame on boat owner Glen Fritzler, who with his wife owns Truth Aquatics Inc., which operated the Conception and two other scuba dive boats.
Boylan's attorneys argued that boat owner Glen Fritzler was responsible for failing to train the crew and creating a lax seafaring culture.
Several civil lawsuits remain ongoing, including one filed by Truth Aquatics, which operated the boat, to limit its liability to the value of the remains of the boat.
Boylan's attorneys sought to pin blame on boat owner Glen Fritzler, who with his wife owns Truth Aquatics Inc., which operated the Conception and two other scuba dive boats.