Captain in Boat Fire That Killed 34 Off California Coast Convicted of Negligence

A photo collage of the 34 victims of the Sept. 2, 2019 fire aboard the dive boat, Conception, at Santa Cruz Island, is held by a family member arriving at federal court in Los Angeles on Oct. 25, 2023. Damian Dovarganes/AP Photo

LOS ANGELES—The captain of the Conception dive boat that caught fire near Santa Cruz Island on Labor Day 2019 was convicted Nov. 6 of criminal negligence in the deaths of all 33 passengers and a crew member.

Jerry Boylan faces up to 10 years in federal prison at sentencing on Feb. 8, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.