On Friday, the U.S. Coast Guard was searching the Atlantic Ocean near the Bahamas for a 735-foot cargo ship, El Faro. The El Faro was en route to San Juan, Puerto Rico when TOTE Maritime Puerto Rico, the vessel owner, lost all communication with the ship. At approximately 7:30am on Thursday, the Coast Guard received a notification that the El Faro was overcome by the hurricane, had lost propulsion, and had taken on water. Multiple search parties have been sent out by the Coast Guard, including two Air Force C-130 Hurricane Hunters; however, the Coast Guard has yet to reestablish contact with the vessel. TOTE Maritime has reached out to the families of the 33 people on board and have established an open line of communication for updates on the situation.
The attorneys at the Lambert Firm, PLC extend our thoughts and prayers to the crew members and their families, and we hope for their safe return and the safety for those involved in the search for the El Faro.