JACKSONVILLE, Fla., (Reuters) – The U.S. Coast Guard yesterday ended its search for missing crew of the cargo ship El Faro that sank off the Bahamas last week after sailing into the path of Hurricane Joaquin.
An exhaustive air and sea search for possible survivors was called off at sunset, six days after communication was lost with the ship and the 33 people aboard, the Coast Guard said.
The decision came a day after federal safety officials arrived in Jacksonville, Florida, El Faro’s home port, to launch an investigation into what maritime experts have called the worst cargo shipping disaster involving a U.S.-flagged vessel in more than 30 years.
The White House issued a statement as the search was winding down, promising “the grieving families of El Faro” full government support in the investigation into what happened to the ship.
“May God bless the men and women of the El Faro,” it said.
