Dive boat owners seek to head off lawsuits

The owners of the California dive boat where 34 people died in a fire have filed a lawsuit to avoid liability in the case.

Truth Aquatics Inc., which owned the Conception, filed suit in U.S. District Court under a pre-Civil War provision of maritime law that allows it to limit its liability.

Anyone who can make a claim against the company will be served with notice the company is asserting it’s not liable for damages from victims.

The suit said the company and owners Glen and Dana Fritzler made the boat seaworthy and the craft was properly manned and equipped.

Charles Naylor, who represents victims in maritime law cases, says the action forces family members in their grief to respond to a lawsuit.