US searches Bahamas for ship lost during Hurricane Joaquin

[Omaha Steve]

Source: AP

By BEN FOX and DANICA COTO

NASSAU, Bahamas (AP) — An intensive, dawn-to-dark search Saturday turned up a life ring but no other sign of a cargo ship with 33 people on board that lost power and communications off the southeastern Bahamas during Hurricane Joaquin.

U.S. Coast Guard and Navy aircraft covered a large expanse of the Atlantic Ocean near Crooked Island for the El Faro, which was taking on water as it was battered by massive waves at the height of the hurricane. The search was halted at nightfall and was expected to resume Sunday.

Authorities don't know yet what happened to the ship or whether the discovery of the life ring means that the crew were forced to abandon the ship, said Chief Petty Officer Ryan Doss, a Coast Guard spokesman in Miami.

"There are plenty of instances where things get torn off a ship in heavy winds," Doss said. "It even happens to Coast Guard cutters."

FULL story at link.

Read more: http://apnews.excite.com/article/20151004/tropical_weather-cd1dff61e2.html

[appalachiablue]

1. NBC and CNN coverage of the missing 735 foot cargo ship El Faro with 33 crew members,

including 28 Americans, it's journey and family members who still hold out hope that the ship will be found.

On Tuesday El Faro departed Jacksonville, FL en route to Puerto Rico where it encountered distress from Hurricane Joaquin. On Thursday authorities lost contact with the ship off *Crooked Cay (Is.), SE Bahamas in 30 foot seas and 130 mph winds. An intensive search by sea and air for the ship continues. Much hope and prayers for the crew and family members.

*VIDEOS, NBC News, 'No Sign of Cargo Ship El Faro: Families Still Hold Out Hope'.
http://www.nbcnews.com/news/weather/no-sign-cargo-ship-el-faro-wake-hurricane-joaquin-n438031






___________

Nassau, Berry Islands Chub Cay and Eleuthera, beautiful islands and sea area we've seen.

[Turbineguy]

2. Company has established an incident site:

Last edited Sun Oct 4, 2015, 11:22 AM - Edit history (1)

http://elfaroincident.com/

[crim son]

3. Four of the missing

went to the Maritime school my son and daughter attended. One boy was a friend of Juerge's and graduated this past May. This was his first job shipping out. Our hearts are broken.

[petronius]

4. Debris spotted as crews search for ship lost off Bahamas

http://www.sfgate.com/news/world/article/New-search-for-ship-lost-off-Bahamas-in-Hurricane-6549156.php

NASSAU, Bahamas (AP) — Rescuers spotted floating debris and an oil sheen Sunday as U.S. crews continue an intensive search off the southeastern Bahamas for a U.S. cargo ship with 33 people on board that has not been heard from since it lost power days ago and was taking on water in fierce seas churned up by Hurricane Joaquin.

Early Sunday afternoon, the U.S. Coast Guard said its aircrews have spotted "life jackets, life rings, containers and an oil sheen" in the sprawling search area but they have not yet been able to confirm whether the debris and oil is from the 790-foot El Faro. On Saturday, the Coast Guard said it located an orange life ring from the missing cargo ship.

--- Snip ---

[mainer]

5. Doesn't it have an EPIRB-type device?

You'd think the ship would automatically transmit its position to satellites.

[Blue_In_AK]

6. This is very personal to us.

My husband was assistant and chief engineer on this ship from 1977 to 1988 when it used to be known as the PUERTO RICO. He's been following this news with much sadness.

[Blue_In_AK]

7. It's not looking good.

A large debris field has been found. Condolences to the families of the crew.


http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/debris-appears-to-belong-to-cargo-ship-missing-in-bahamas/ar-AAf5y4d?li=AAa0dzB

[dembotoz]

10. ....

[restorefreedom]

8. all i can say is

come home safely or if that is not possible, peaceful journey to the spirit world.

[Eugene]

9. Cargo ship El Faro missing in hurricane believed to have sunk: Coast Guard

Source: Reuters

US | Mon Oct 5, 2015 9:33am EDT

Cargo ship El Faro missing in hurricane believed to have sunk: Coast Guard

The U.S. Coast Guard now believes that the missing cargo ship El Faro sank after sailing into the path of Hurricane Joaquin in the Bahamas, a spokesman said on Monday.

Rescuers continue to search for survivors, said Chief Petty Officer Bobby Nash in Miami.

"It’s still an active search and rescue," he said.

(Reporting by Colleen Jenkins Editing by W Simon)

http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/10/05/us-storm-joaquin-ship-idUSKCN0RZ1EQ20151005