Four years after fire engulfed California scuba dive boat killing 34 people, captain’s trial begins

By STEFANIE DAZIO
Associated Press

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Federal prosecutors are seeking justice for 34 people killed in a fire aboard a scuba dive boat called the Conception in 2019. The trial against Captain Jerry Boylan begins Tuesday with jury selection. Boylan has pleaded not guilty to one count of misconduct or neglect of ship officer. It’s a pre-Civil War statute colloquially known as “seaman’s manslaughter.” His public defenders did not return requests for comment. The tragedy has spurred changes to maritime regulations, congressional reform and multiple civil lawsuits. What exactly started the pre-dawn fire off the coast of Southern California remains unknown.