Local

El Faro boilers were recommended for service

The hull had breached.  It’s new information we’re learning from the latest NTSB update on their investigation in to the El Faro sinking.

The report details the recent inspection history of the ship, big maintenance that was scheduled for next month, work happening while the ship was underway, and the emergency communications from the Captain before the ship lost communication.

The El Faro is believed to have sunk after getting caught in Category 4 Joaquin. 33 people were on board, but no survivors were found during the Coast Guard's search.

GALLERY: El Faro crew

The ship was heavily loaded with cargo while traveling between Jacksonville and Puerto Rico and reported losing propulsion and taking on water before losing contact.

Repairs needed

In September, an independent boiler service company performed an inspection while the El Faro was en route between San Juan and Jacksonville. As a result of that, the company recommended both the ship’s boilers be serviced.

At the time, a drydock period had already been scheduled for November 6. The boilers were allowed to continue in service.

Work while underway

The El Faro was preparing to transition from the Jacksonville-Puerto Rico route to a West Coast route between Washington and Alaska. As part of that, the NTSB says TOTE began modifying the vessel in August, while underway, and under the supervision of an additional chief engineer.

This work was being performed by welders and machinists on several voyages, including at the time of the sinking.

The final route

At the time the El Faro left Jacksonville September 29, Tropical Storm Joaquin was predicted to become a Hurricane. The next day, the Captain emailed a company safety official saying he planned a route south of the predicted path, according to the NTSB report. That path would have kept the ship about 65 miles off the center of the storm.

Joaquin would become a Category 4 Hurricane at the time it encountered the El Faro.

The US Coast Guard received electronic distress alerts from three sources, according to the NTSB- the Ship’s Security Alert System (SSAS), the Inmarsat-C Alert, and the Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB). Electronic alert data sent at 7:17 on October 1 has the El Faro’s last known position at 20 miles from the edge of the eye of the hurricane.

Communications from the Captain

The Captain reported a "marine emergency" on a recorded satellite call to the company's emergency call center at 7 AM October 1. WOKV has previously told you the ship was listing, had taken on water, and had lost propulsion. The NTSB investigation update further says the Captain reported a hull breach and had his engineers trying to regain propulsion, but they couldn't.

The NTSB confirms the hull breach is new information, but couldn’t provide any further details at this point. A Spokesman tells WOKV they gave us the Captain’s words as they stood, and are still investigating the circumstances around the statement.

Previous inspections

WOKV previously told you the El Faro underwent three inspections earlier this year.

All needed certifications were received from the American Bureau of Shipping inspection, although because the results of the inspection are confidential, ABS couldn’t say whether there were deficiencies, but could confirm those would have been remedied ahead of the ship getting approved.

The NTSB report now says there were, in fact, problems noted in the February surveys, but they were rectified and did not deal with the El Faro’s main propulsion system.

The annual US Coast Guard inspection was completed in March. TOTE Maritime, the ship’s operator, also performed an annual onboard safety audit in March. We’ve requested that report but have not received it. It is also not referenced by the NTSB.

The NTSB says ABS surveyed main, auxiliary, and emergency systems in June and found them to be satisfactory.  Through the course of the NTSB investigation, they’ve also determined there were regularly conducted on board safety drills, which included lifeboat drills.

VIDEO: Badly damaged lifeboat found in Coast Guard search

The cargo on the ship was also determined to be properly secured, the terminal manager said it met stability criteria, and two pilots who guided the ship out of Jacksonville say it was operating comparably to other vessels of the same size and type.

Next steps

The NTSB team that had been gathering information in Jacksonville has now returned to Washington to continue its work, which could ultimately take about a year.

Meanwhile, the NTSB's Investigator-in-Charge is on the USNS Apache, which deployed from Norfolk, VA yesterday en route to the El Faro's last known location off the Bahamas. A special search and salvage team on board will try to recover the ship's Voyage Data Recorder, or black box, which the NTSB believes could give important information on the final moments on the ship.

Because of bad weather, the USNS Apache isn’t expected to get to the scene until Saturday. The search efforts are estimated to last around two weeks. The NTSB says their next update will likely deal with those search efforts, but they’re not offering any further comment at this time.

Two families of the 33 crew members have filed lawsuits against TOTE and other entities. One is claiming negligence while the other is claiming wrongful death. TOTE doesn't comment on ongoing legal cases.

HOW TO HELP: El Faro Family Relief Fund

We reached out to TOTE for comment on this latest investigation. TOTE issued a statement to WOKV saying they are fully cooperating with the ongoing investigation.

“We are deeply appreciative of the resources and equipment extended to the search by the Navy and US government, which are some of the most sophisticated in the world,” the statement says.

TOTE further says everything they know about the El Faro they are sharing with the NTSB.

mobile apps

Everything you love about wokv.com and more! Tap on any of the buttons below to download our app.

amazon alexa

Enable our Skill today to listen live at home on your Alexa Devices!