CASTINE, Maine (NEWS CENTER) - For students and faculty at Maine Maritime academy, the news that the Coast Guard was suspending its search was not the news students were hoping not to hear.
All four of the Mainers on board El Faro were graduates of MMA.
The school held a vigil last night for them and a press conference Wednesday afternoon and lowered its school flag to half-staff for El Faro's crew and their families
According to Captain Nathan Gandy, the flag was lowered in the past for notable alumni who have died. This time, Gandy said the flag was lowered to show the school is mourning for the entire crew of the El Faro.
Gandy says students are now grieving though last night's vigil served as preparation for today's news.
MMA's President, Dr. William Brennan, also spoke about what happened.
His message was that the sea is to be respected but not feared and the best way for students to honor those who were lost is to continue to train to go to sea and pursue their passions.
"We honor them best by steeling our individual and community resolve to educate and train for a world full of perils," said Brennan. "Not just those at sea but for those that find us wherever we may go in our lives."
The school's administration also reaffirmed Thursday that a variety of support resources will be available for students who need them.
