[QUOTE=salt’n steel;169835]Regarding open style lifeboats and old school launching design, I see big changes in near future.[/QUOTE]
The lifeboats were supposed to be replaced, but the company said ‘no’ due to the cost.
[QUOTE=Bayrunner;169837]The Sentinel was steaming at 12.5 kts and had just made a 90 degree turn off FT Lauderdale when I looked at marinetraffic.com this morning. Perhaps she is heading that way. Another Invader was still heading south at 9kts a few miles in front of it.
And let’s not talk about the Marine Electric just yet[/QUOTE]
Seabulks tug ‘hawk’ left Ft Lauderdale heading in the same direction. Someone on gcaptains fb said it was heading to the last known location.
[QUOTE=c.captain;169841]no, Sun Oil owned Sun Shipbuilding in Chester, PA at the time the vessels were built but they were ro/ro’s from day one. I believe that ten were originally constructed all during the 70’s and as of today Matson has two (MATSONIA and LURLINE and TOTE has two (EL YUNQUE and EL FARO)[/QUOTE]
Ah makes sense, thanks. I was born in 1974 
interesting history of these ships
[QUOTE=elfarofitzgerald;169843]The lifeboats were supposed to be replaced, but the company said ‘no’ due to the cost.[/QUOTE]
OH NO! Not a Saltchuk company?
[QUOTE=c.captain;169847]OH NO! Not a Saltchuk company?[/QUOTE]
I know, imagine that. And she was due for conversion and repairs in two months.
[QUOTE=c.captain;169834]so based on that, the reported list need not have been a direct cause of losing propulsion unless it could be related to some other system in the plant? a lube oil failure to main turbine? forced draft failure? fuel oil suction? simple failure of any number of pumps I suppose? Surely, the master would have told TOTE/SeaStar what had caused the plant to go down? I believe in the end, will be the loss of propulsion which caused whatever did happen to the vessel but what is that? Afloat but laying on her side? Ashore on a Cay? or what I am fearing, capsized and foundered? There is no way I can see a crew getting off in those lifeboats from such a ridiculous height above the water in the conditions I well imagine they were encountering? It is very sad that any vessel operator will continue to supply a crew with such antiquated equipment just because the USCG allows them to keep it! Did the ship still have those open top boats with gravity davits just below the bridge and at least 70’ up?[/QUOTE]
Yes they still had the open top life boats . I wish they would have had the enclosed orange boats
[QUOTE=elfarofitzgerald;169843]The lifeboats were supposed to be replaced, but the company said ‘no’ due to the cost.[/QUOTE]
Says who? If you don’t have proof don’t add to the misery.
TOTE Media Release: 10-03-15 12:15EST
Posted on October 3, 2015 by Emily Reiter
Jacksonville, FL (October 3, 2015) – Tim Nolan, President of TOTE Maritime Puerto Rico, issued the following statement regarding ongoing efforts to locate and communicate with the El Faro and her crew.
“TOTE Maritime continues to work closely with the US Coast Guard and all available resources to locate and establish communication with the El Faro.
As noted in a recent statement from the Coast Guard, search and rescue crews began first light search efforts Saturday with a HC-130 Hercules fixed-wing aircraft from Coast Guard Air Station Clearwater, Florida. Additional resources are being deployed throughout the day and we will provide updates as we gather information from these efforts.
In addition to a dedicated media information line listed above (866.890.6763) an informational website has been activated for media and interested parties at www.ElFaroIncident.com. Our team continues work closely with the US Coast Guard and all resources activated in the search and will make timely, accurate updates via the website and phone line as they are available.”
Posted in El Faro Updates, Uncategorized
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Coast Guard News Release Update: 10-03-15 11:30EST
Interesting/ encouraging that there hasn’t been a report of floating containers or other flotsam by SAR aircraft.
FAQs
EL FARO SITUATION
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Last updated: 8:30am EST, Saturday Oct. 3, 2015
What is the current status of the El Faro?
On September 29, the El Faro, one of TOTE Maritime Puerto Rico’s two ships departed Jacksonville en-route to San Juan Puerto Rico
As of 720am EST on Thursday October 1, TOTE Maritime Puerto Rico lost all communication with the El Faro
The US Coast Guard was immediately notified and since then we have been unable to reestablish communication
At the time of last communication, the ship’s Master reported the vessel had lost propulsion and had taken on water but the issue was contained and the crew was pumping it successfully
Vessel had a reported 15 degree list due primarily to weather conditions but it was reported to be manageable
What is known at this point in time regarding her situation?
We have been working with the USCG to locate the vessel since Thursday morning, Oct 1. when we lost communication
On Friday, the Coast Guard deployed Coast Guard Cutter Northland, MH-60 Jayhawk rescue helicopter crew forward deployed in Great Inagua, Bahamas and HC-130 Hercules airplanes from Coast Guard Air Station Clearwater, Florida to search for the El Faro
The US Department of Defense has deployed Navy assets to aid in the search
Unfortunately weather conditions in the area continue to impede the search
Search operations were suspended overnight on Friday and resumed at first light Saturday morning October 3. Coast Guard assets deployed include: Three C130 aircraft, one Helo helicopter, Navy P-8 aircraft. The USCG Cutter Northland, USCG Cutter Resolute, a Navy ship and three commercial tugs are enroute to the location as well.
Why was she sailing when you knew there was bad weather?
At the time of the El Faro’s departure, the vessel’s officers and crew were monitoring what was then Tropical Storm Joaquin
Our crew are trained to deal with unfolding weather situations and are best prepared and equipped to respond to emerging situations while at sea
Who authorized the voyage? Should the ship have been sailing?
TOTE Maritime Puerto Rico authorized the sailing knowing that the crew are more than equipped to handle situations such as changing weather
Have you communicated with families/loved ones of those affected?
Yes, we have reached out to all the families of the 33 individuals onboard and are in constant communication with them regarding situation updates
A 24 hour phone line and dedicated family website has been active since Thursday afternoon
TOTE has assisted family members and loved ones in travel to Jacksonville where in-person family meetings are being held
When do you expect to reestablish communication with the ship?
We are doing all that we can in conjunction with the USCG to reestablish communication with the ship
How large is the area being searched?
Coast Guard search crews have covered approximately 850 square nautical miles in the search for the El Faro crew
What is the ship carrying?
The El Faro is carrying TOTE Maritime Puerto Rico’s standard cargo – grocery, cars, retail products – products need for daily life in Puerto Rico
What is the age of ship?
The El Faro was built in 1975 and was updated in 2006
What is the mechanical condition of ship?
El Faro is a well maintained vessel that is classed by ABS. We are not fully aware of her current condition, as we are not able to communicate with the vessel.
What is the competency of crew?
The crew are fully qualified members of the Seaman’s International Union and the American Maritime Officers
All crew are fully trained to US and international standards
What are the names and hometowns of crew members?
The crew consists of 28 U.S. citizens and five Polish nationals
Out of respect for the families and loved ones, we are not releasing personally identifying information at this time
What is the predicted direction of drift from the last known position? I’ve been busy and haven’t had time to look at charts and weather maps. What’s everyone’s best estimate for where the boat is now?
The storm looks like it is moving away from the Bahamas hopefully the ship will be spotted soon.
It’s moving NE @14kts.
[QUOTE=Bayrunner;169857]The storm looks like it is moving away from the Bahamas hopefully the ship will be spotted soon.
It’s moving NE @14kts.[/QUOTE]
I see the storm has let up a good bit . Hopefully el faro will be found today or this evening before search ends.
[QUOTE=salt’n steel;169717]I just heard from a good source that Sea Star’s El Faro went straight thru hurricane and the EPIRB is activated.[/QUOTE]
You know - You Guys I just have to comment on all this as I used to be on the West Coast to Alaska run for 20 years and used to run out of Port Angeles many times alongside the Great Land, Westward Venture and Northern Lights (which became El Faro). They we mush faster than a 120,000 ton Tanker but I knew them well. And then I got re-acquainted when I began working at STAR Center/AMO Plans training/working with many of the Captains & Officers with TOTE.
Besides my concern for the Crew, I’m also concerned about the stuff being posted here - not that it makes much difference in what has happened, but I’m seeing even on here that the specs of the ship are not even correct - you’re going down the Media and CG Course on this. The ship - originally the Puerto Rico, was NEVER 735’ long - NEVER. It was launched from Sun Ship, Chester at 700’ and then was lengthened 90’ to match the Westward Venture & Great Land. Correct length is 790 FEET - please Guys you’re affecting credibility on gCapatin………….just “what” triggered the SOS is subject to mixed reporting, and, of course, I wasn’t there either. The EPIRB alert sounds the most credible, but if they had an older Model that alert would not even give a Lat&Long Position. As to the reports of Plant Issues and Water Ingress - that must have come from prior comms with TOTE from the ship.
Then we get this post from an “Old Salt” who says they sailed thru the hurricane and are all ok (accounted for?) !!! I have checked the San Juan Port Arrival Info and the El Faro is NOT on the info. So - the reality is that - except from TOTE Main Offices, NONE of the info being batted around here is accurate but just speculation from prior experience. Believe me, having run the West Coast to Cook Inlet & Valdez for 20 years, those Trailerships took a beating - as we all did. Yet I find it pretty hard to accept that even a 40-year-old hull would leave NO trace of anything if it DID go down - no wreckage, no oil slick…nothing - and - it would have also been drifting to the West into SHALLOW waters…………please be careful what you post on this reputable site - all of us are entitled to opinions here, but we’re taking about over 30 of Our Own who were aboard her…………….Larry
How deep is the water in the area, and is the water temperature warm enough for survival for hours/days?
The lack of any communication or a debris field is worrisome, now going into 60 hours since propulsion trouble reported…
Is the lack of debris worrisome though? A containership is basically a ready-made debris field. If the ship had gone down, something should have been spotted, even through the maelstrom. The lack of debris gives me hope that she’s still intact.
They had aircraft carriers and destroyers looking for baby Kennedy when he crashed his plane and was obviously dead, what a joke the same effort is not being provided when these guys still have a chance.
There wasn’t a Cat 4 Hurricane when Kennedy went down off Martha’s Vineyard.
[QUOTE=salt’n steel;169868]There wasn’t a Cat 4 Hurricane when Kennedy went down off Martha’s Vineyard.[/QUOTE]
obviously. the point is that they should be telling the press that every available asset will be used in a case like this.
Puerto Rico Marine Management’s CAGUAS at Pier 10 Canton Railroad, Baltimore, 1981. Not the best shot, but it shows the ramps used for loading/discharge ops. Photo by me.
](http://s120.photobucket.com/user/capnfab/media/Dinosaurs/caguas01a_zps1q75jbyc.jpg.html)[/IMG]
