The Coast Guard announced it has halted the search efforts, but still wants to recover the ship’s data recorder to help solve the mystery of how it sank.
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The 790-foot El Faro was last heard from about a week ago when it was being buffeted by high seas.
“I know that the Coast Guard along with our brethren in the Navy and Air Force as well as the commercial tugboats that were out there helping us did all that they could…”, Foder said. It is with heavy hearts this afternoon that we learn the Coast Guard has suspended their search for survivors.
The Coast Guard said it will end its search for survivors from the El Faro on Wednesday evening, according to Robert Green, father of LaShawn Rivera.
“Our focus has been on supporting and caring for the family members, loved ones, and friends of those aboard the El Faro”, the Jacksonville, Florida-based company said.
The data on Thomson Reuters Eikon raises questions about the ship owner’s assertion that the vessel’s captain had chosen a “sound plan” to pass around Joaquin “with a margin of comfort” but was then thwarted by engineering problems.
‘Today, 28 American families from Florida to Maine and five Polish families are heartbroken, ‘ President Barack Obama said in a statement, paying tribute to the crew.
The El Faro container ship is believed to have sunk after it suffered engine failure and was caught in the path of powerful Hurricane Joaquin last Thursday off the southern Bahamas.
“The El Faro was on its… needed a death certificate”.
The Coast Guard located a deceased person in a survival suit in the water Sunday night.
F John Nicoll, a retired captain who spent years piloting the run to Puerto Rico, said he doubts the age of the El Faro was a factor, noting that there are many older ships plying United States waters without incident. His Facebook page says he is from Mystic, Connecticut, and went to Maine Maritime Academy.
On Monday, the Coast Guard determined that the ship, loaded with cars, trucks and trailers, sank the day communications were lost.
Tote officials said they trust the company’s captains to be the decision makers, and that up until El Faro lost its propulsion, the reports were not alarming.
Totes Maritime, which operated the ship, said the El Faro, regardless of its age, met all standards and certifications.
Legere said that deadlines to deliver cargo generally play into a captain’s decision to sail.
Dr. Bella Dinh-Zarr, NTSB vice chairwoman, said the entire process will take a few time and the team is only in the beginning stages.
We at TOTE can never truly know the pain the families and loved ones have gone through, but we do know how deeply this event has affected every employee of TOTE.
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“I am hoping other companies will take a good look at when they’re going to ship out”, said Shevory.
