Coast Guard crews were unable to identify the one body found so far, discovered wearing a survival suit, Fedor said.
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US Coast Guard aircrews resumed the search on Sunday for a missing container ship with 33 crewmembers aboard near Crooked Island, Bahamas.
The El Faro was sailing from Jacksonville, Florida to Puerto Rico when it went silent on Thursday near Crooked Island.
“We have been in constant contact with the Coast Guard and TOTE and know the United States Coast Guard and National Transportation Safety Board will fully and carefully investigate this case”, Crenshaw’s statement says. All efforts are on finding survivors.
“For our search planning efforts, we are assuming the vessel has sank”, Fedor said.
Rios said the search for survivors is continuing.
Five aircraft on Saturday searched with radar over the tempestuous seas for the El Faro, which last reported its position and problems Thursday morning.
Tote Maritime, said two vessels it dispatched to the scene had found a container “which appears to be from the El Faro“. “We are not looking for the vessel any longer”.
“This is certainly one of the more hard days we are going to have on campus”, said Admiral Fran McDonald, MMA President.
“Well, we’re heartbroken that the people are having to go through not knowing and hoping that they find the boat and everything will be okay and we understand that it’s bigger than the ship behind me?” said Pam Patterson, a North Carolina resident here with her husband, Edwin.
Recovered… The life ring found at sea.
Company spokesman Mike Hanson said he was unable to specify what kinds of repairs were under way, but such ancillary crews are commonly hired to perform repairs and maintenance. Gabe Somma told CNN.
The Coast Guard announced shortly after 10 a.m. that it believes the freighter El Faro, with at least four Maine Maritime Academy graduates among its crew of 33, has sunk.
CNN reached out to the college Sunday night but did not immediately hear back.
But then, Joaquin barreled into the area, growing in strength as it came.
If the crew really did leave the ship on Thursday amid hurricane conditions, staying alive would have been hard. Near midday, the forecast was still for a tropical storm, though now moving closer to the ship’s path. The search was aided by the first day of calmer weather now that Joaquin has left the Bahamas and was en route to Bermuda.
“She is a sturdy, rugged vessel that was well maintained and that the crew members were proud of”, said Greene.
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Shevory, who had come to the Seafarer’s Union Hall in Jacksonville from her home in Massachusetts, said her 51-year-old daughter was devoted to her job working on the ship. “The captain is looking out for his crew”.
