The company that owns a scuba dive boat that caught fire and sank off California killing 34 people, may seek to limit its liability by invoking a 19th century law that has shielded vessel owners from costly disasters such as the sinking of the Titanic.
Federal investigators have interviewed the only survivors from the fire aboard the Conception — the captain and four crew members — as well as Glen Fritzler, whose Truth Aquatics Inc. owns and operates the vessel.
While no one has sued yet, wrongful death lawsuits by families of the victims were a near certainty, legal experts said.