WASHINGTON, DC (NEWS CENTER) - The National Transportation Safety Board has released its findings into the sinking of the El Faro.
When the ship went down off the Bahamas in October of 2015 during Hurricane Joaquin, it was the worst maritime disaster involving a US based ship in more than 30-years. All 33 on board died, including four from Maine, Captain Michael Davidson, Michael Holland, Dylan Meklin and Danielle Randolph.
The NTSB investigation resulted in 80 findings and 53 recommendations. The main probable causes for the ship's sinking were the captain's insufficient actions and the ship's owners lack of oversight and safety management practices.
While at sea the captain of the El Faro, Michael Davidson, was in charge of the navigation and safe operation of the vessel. Investigators determined he made those decisions without taking advice from his crew. In particular when it came to changing weather forecasts with a hurricane bearing down and the second mate suggested taking a different route.
"Staff believes the captain did not take sufficient action to avoid Hurricane Joaquin and thereby imperiled the ship and its crew”, said investigator Michael Kucharski.
“He had a mental model that the hurricane was going to be in one place and based on the mental model and based on his experience, he believed they would be okay", said NTSB Board Chair Robert Sumwalt.
Investigators also faulted the ship’s owner TOTE for providing no assistance to the captain and crew as they veered towards the hurricane.
“The company’s safety management was inadequate and did not provide the officers and crew the necessary procedures to ensure safe passage”, said investigator Carrie Bell.
Investigators found many other factors in the tragic sinking including the ship’s loss of propulsion, flooding in cargo holds, and the lack of damage control plans that left the captain and crew unprepared for that flooding.
Investigators determined survival would have been difficult given the conditions, but they would have stood a better chance with enclosed lifeboats, now the industry standard. The El Faro had open top boats.
Also, investigators suggest crew members be equipped with personal GPS beacons which allow search and rescue crews to locate them once they abandon ships.
“One marine tragedy can point to many improvements”, said Sumwalt. For more information about the agency's report and recommendations visit the NTSB website.