JACKSONVILLE, Fla., (Reuters) – The U.S. Coast Guard believes the missing cargo ship El Faro sank after it was caught in the path of Hurricane Joaquin, a spokesman said today.
Rescuers were continuing “an active search” for survivors, Coast Guard Chief Petty Officer Bobby Nash said in Miami.
The 735-foot (224-meter) container ship, with 28 U.S. citizens and five Polish nationals aboard, had left Jacksonville, Florida on Tuesday, for San Juan, Puerto Rico.
On Thursday, the ship reported losing propulsion, listing and taking on water after sailing into the ferocious winds of Joaquin off Crooked Island in the Bahamas, according to El Faro’s owner Tote Maritime Puerto Rico.
The Coast Guard said the ship had not been heard from since a distress call sent Thursday morning.
On Sunday, aircrews found a debris field in the vicinity of the ship’s last known position, including styrofoam, wood, cargo and other items.
There was no confirmation that the debris belonged to El Faro, though one life ring found earlier was from the missing ship, the Coast Guard and Tote Maritime confirmed.
