California Boat Fire: Who Owned The Vessel?

The boat that caught fire in California in September 2019 was called the MV Conception and was one of three dive boats owned by Truth Aquatics, a company based in Santa Barbara. Glen and Dana Fritzler are the owners of Truth Aquatics and the MV Conception.

The boat was a 75-foot dive boat named Conception

The boat had three decks. The upper deck contained the wheelhouse, crew quarters, and a sun deck lounge area. The main deck included a large cabin with a galley and a salon with seating for meals. The lower deck could accommodate up to 46 individuals in 13 double bunks and 20 single bunks. It also had a shower area, anchor locker, engine room, and lazarette.

On the night of the fire, 33 passengers and 6 crew members were on board. The fire broke out shortly after 3 a.m., and it is believed that most of those below deck were unable to escape. The five crew members whose sleeping quarters were on the top deck survived, while everyone else on board died. The crew members were forced to jump overboard, but not before placing a mayday call and attempting to alert the passengers.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation, but it is believed to have started in the aft part of the salon or the bunk area, possibly due to a lithium battery or electrical distribution system. The boat's owner, Glen Fritzler, has come under scrutiny for potential deficiencies in crew training and passenger safety briefings. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) concluded that the probable cause of the accident was the failure of Truth Aquatics to provide effective oversight of its vessel and crew member operations, including the requirement to maintain a roving patrol.

The fire broke out in the early hours of September 2, 2019

The boat had been refurbished at a cost of more than $1 million following an incident in 2005 when it had been stolen and run aground. Conception was under charter to Worldwide Diving Adventures (WDA) for the trip, and it had set out from Santa Barbara on Saturday, August 31, arriving at a dive location near Albert Anchorage by 8:30 am that morning.

On the night of the fire, the second galley hand woke at approximately 1:30 am and went to the galley to wash dishes. After finishing, he went back to sleep in the crew quarters on the upper deck at about 2:35 am. He later awoke to the sound of a pop in the dark and believed it to be a disoriented crew member or passenger. Upon leaving his bed to help, he discovered an uncontrollable fire on the main deck below. The fire had already spread to the aft end of the upper deck, and the crew's escape route was blocked by flames.

The second galley hand returned to wake the remaining crew on the upper deck, and two mayday calls were placed at approximately 3:14 am from the wheelhouse of the Conception. The five crew members who had been sleeping on the upper deck jumped down to the main deck, and one broke his leg in the process. The ship's captain said the aft escape hatch was engulfed in flames, and the surviving crew could do nothing to help the passengers and the second deck hand, who were all sleeping in the lower deck berths.

The first responders arrived on site at 4:32 am, and the fire was extinguished by 5:23 am, although hotspots kept reigniting. The boat eventually sank at 6:54 am, coming to rest upside down at a depth of 64 feet about 20 yards from the north shore of Santa Cruz Island.

34 people died, with 33 passengers and 1 crew member perishing

On September 2, 2019, a fire broke out on the Conception, a 75-foot dive boat, while anchored in Platt's Harbor near Santa Cruz Island, California. The fire claimed the lives of 34 people, including 33 passengers and 1 crew member.

The boat was on a three-day Labor Day weekend cruise, offering divers the opportunity to explore the Channel Islands off the coast of Southern California. With 39 people on board, the Conception was packed with scuba divers eager to explore the vibrant coral and diverse marine life of the region.

However, the dream excursion turned into a tragic nightmare as the fire erupted in the early hours of the morning, quickly engulfing the vessel. While the five crew members sleeping on the top deck were able to escape, those below deck were trapped in the inferno.

The cause of the fire was not immediately clear, but it is believed to have started on the aft deck, where passengers were charging their electronic devices. The flames spread rapidly, and by the time help arrived, the boat was fully engulfed.

The aftermath of the fire revealed serious safety deficiencies aboard the Conception, including the lack of a night watchman who could have raised the alarm and potentially saved lives. The boat's captain, Jerry Boylan, was found guilty of misconduct and negligence, receiving a four-year prison sentence.

The tragedy left an indelible mark, with 34 lives lost at sea and countless others forever changed by the devastating events of that fateful night. The investigation and its aftermath highlighted the importance of stringent safety measures and the crucial role of those in charge of such vessels.

The captain, Jerry Boylan, was found guilty of seaman's manslaughter

The captain of the boat that caught fire in California, Jerry Boylan, was found guilty of seaman's manslaughter. Boylan, who was 70 years old at the time of sentencing, was sentenced to four years in prison for his role in the deaths of 34 people.

The incident occurred in September 2019, when a fire broke out on the 75-foot dive boat Conception while it was anchored near Santa Cruz Island, off the coast of California. The fire claimed the lives of 33 passengers and one crew member, all of whom were sleeping in a bunk room below deck. The five surviving crew members, including Boylan, escaped by jumping overboard.

During the trial, prosecutors argued that Boylan's negligence and inattention to his duties led to the deaths. Specifically, they cited his failure to maintain a night watch or roving patrol, conduct sufficient fire drills, and provide adequate crew training. Boylan's defence team, however, argued that their client remained on the boat as long as possible, even broadcasting a distress call, and only jumped overboard when it became clear he would not otherwise survive.

The charge of seaman's manslaughter is a serious offence, carrying a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison for each count. In this case, Boylan faced 34 counts of seaman's manslaughter, one for each life lost in the tragedy. Ultimately, the court sentenced Boylan to 48 months in prison, reflecting the gravity of the situation and the loss of life that occurred under his watch.

The boat fire tragedy shocked the community and highlighted the importance of adhering to safety regulations. While Boylan's sentence cannot bring back the lives lost, it serves as a reminder of the responsibility and accountability that comes with positions of authority, especially when the safety of others is concerned.

The boat was owned by Truth Aquatics, a charter company

The boat that caught fire in California was owned by Truth Aquatics, a charter company that operates out of Santa Barbara Harbor. The boat, named Conception, was one of three dive boats owned by Truth Aquatics and was under charter to Worldwide Diving Adventures for a three-day scuba diving excursion over the Labor Day holiday weekend. The boat had been refurbished at a cost of more than $1 million following an incident in 2005 when it was stolen and run aground.

Truth Aquatics is owned by Glen Fritzler, who began diving as a 12-year-old and has been with the company since 1979. Fritzler and his wife are well-known in the local community and have a good reputation for maintaining their boats in good condition. According to state Senator Hannah-Beth Jackson, who represented the Santa Barbara area, Truth Aquatics "maintained their boats in good condition."

The Conception was a 75-foot liveaboard boat built in Long Beach, California, and launched in 1981. It had three decks and could accommodate up to 46 individuals in its sleeping area, which included 13 double bunks and 20 single bunks. The boat was anchored overnight at Platts Harbor, a small bay on the north shore of Santa Cruz Island, when the fire broke out.

The fire broke out shortly after 3 a.m., and it is believed that all 33 passengers and one crew member who were sleeping below decks died. The five crew members who were sleeping on the top deck survived by jumping overboard and were rescued by a nearby boat. The cause of the fire is still under investigation, but it is believed to have started in the aft part of the salon or the bunk area, possibly due to a lithium battery or electrical distribution system.

In the aftermath of the tragedy, Truth Aquatics suspended operations on their remaining two boats and faced several lawsuits from the families of the victims. The company was also criticized for failing to train the crew in firefighting and other safety measures and for creating a lax seafaring culture. The captain of the boat, Jerry Boylan, was found guilty of "seaman's manslaughter" and sentenced to four years in prison.

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