Conception boat fire: Captain charged over 34 deaths in California Published11 hours ago Share media captionFamily and friends mourn those lost in California dive-boat fire. The captain of a scuba-diving boat that was destroyed by fire last year off California has been charged with 34 counts of seaman’s manslaughter. Jerry Nehl Boylan caused the deaths of those aboard the Conception “by his misconduct, negligence and inattention to his duties”, says the indictment. Prosecutors allege the 67 year old failed to have a night watchman or conduct fire drills as required by law. All 33 passengers and a crew member sleeping below deck died. Family of five among dead in California boat fire Mr Boylan was among five crew members who managed to escape the blaze on the 75-ft (23m) vessel off Santa Barbara on 2 September 2019. He is expected to surrender to the authorities at a later date. Each charge of seaman’s manslaughter carries up to 10 years in federal prison. A firefighter attempting to put the fire out IMAGE COPYRIGHTGETTY/VENTURA COUNTRY FIRE DEPARTMENT image captionFirefighters were unable to board the vessel to put the fire out as flames has already taken hold Kristi Johnson, assistant director of the FBI’s Los Angeles field office, said on Tuesday: “This tragedy forever altered the lives of so many families and loved ones, and it deeply affected members of the public who watched in horror. We continue to grieve with them. “Our hope is that this indictment leads to the prevention of boating accidents and the senseless destruction of lives through proper precautions and training.” Mr Boylan has not publicly commented on the charges. What happened to the boat? The fire broke out in the early hours of the morning while the Conception was moored in Platt’s Harbour near Santa Cruz Island, south of Santa Barbara. At the time, it had been hosting a diving expedition over the Labour Day holiday weekend. A US National Transportation Safety Board investigation determined the fire began in a middle deck area where lithium-ion batteries were being charged, though it was unclear exactly what ignited the blaze. Map showing location of the fire north of Santa Cruz island Those who survived had been above deck when the blaze broke out. They escaped by jumping overboard and swimming to another vessel nearby, called the Great Escape. The crew members told investigators that the flames were too intense to save anyone trapped in the passenger quarters. A grand jury cited three federal safety violations: failure to assign a night watch or roving patrol, to conduct sufficient crew training or to conduct adequate fire drills. Related Topics Scuba diving California More on this story California boat fire: Family of five among 34 dead, relatives say Published4 September 2019 California boat fire: Safety investigators say all crew were asleep Published12 September 2019 More Videos from the BBC The secret lives of Yakuza women The secret lives of Yakuza women Where the Amish go on holiday Where the Amish go on holiday The secret lives of Saudi women The secret lives of Saudi women Life after war: ‘It’s too painful to sleep’Life after war: ‘It’s too painful to sleep’ Life after war: ‘It’s too painful to sleep’ Moment 180 mph motorcyclist in T-shirt is caughtMoment 180 mph motorcyclist in T-shirt is caught Moment 180 mph motorcyclist in T-shirt is caught The world’s deepest diving poolThe world’s deepest diving pool The world’s deepest diving pool Recommended by Outbrain Elsewhere on BBC How to ‘disappear’ on Happiness Avenue in Beijing BBC News How to ‘disappear’ on Happiness Avenue in Beijing Okinawa: The island of almost-eternal youth BBC Okinawa: The island of almost-eternal youth US military drops ‘mother of all bombs on IS’ in Afghanistan BBC News US military drops ‘mother of all bombs on IS’ in Afghanistan Recommended by Outbrain Twelve films to watch in December BBC Twelve films to watch in December The forgotten fighter plane which won the Battle of Britain BBC The forgotten fighter plane which won the Battle of Britain Trog: The strangest horror film of its era BBC Trog: The strangest horror film of its era Top Stories