“The Clock Is Ticking”: Inside the Worst U.S. Maritime Disaster in Decades

[Capt_Phoenix]

The numbers from cargomax reflected closer to 26" of oil in the sump if you look at the tonnage entered and correct for the incorrect specific gravity used in the program. Plus, as everyone else has commented on multiple threads the mate likely never altered the sump tonnage in the program as it isn’t enough difference to ever matter for stability.

See this section of TOTE’s report as posted on another thread:

@Kennebec_Captain

14). We believe the MBI’s use of the assumed lube oil sump operating level of 24.6 inches is likely in error and, based on the available evidence, it is more likely that the engine log for the El Faro was for September 1, 2015 (26 inches) provides the most reliable figure. (MBI Ex. 341);

(Appendix A (J.Daly), pp.14-15).

To illustrate this further with regard to the record relied on by the MBI, it appears that the specific gravity of the lube oil, listed in CargoMax, is apparently based on a default value which is not exactly consistent with the actual specific gravity of the lube oil in the tank. From a stability standpoint, this is of little overall consequence. However, when the correct specific gravity of the lube oil is used, the reported 4.2 long tons of lube oil in the sump equates to a sounding in the lube oil sump of approximately 25.5 inches.