Three former El Faro crew members have come forward to describe the many structural issues the ship had while they were working aboard the vessel on voyages that took place within the current year.
Among the issues that the ex-crew members are talking about, is the ship’s problem with taking on water. One ex-crew member described a room on the vessel that leaked water, as well as other drainage problems on the ship.
While the company vehemently denies that the El Faro had any structural issues, the three former crew members tell a different story. All three of them have stated that the ship was “showing her age,” and one ex-crew member called the El Faro “a rust bucket” that was unfit to be on the water.
The ex-crew members also described the company’s approach to maintaining the ship and repairing issues as they arose. One former crew member, Chris Cash, recalled that the company “didn’t want to put any money into the ship” and that “when things would break they would patch it up rather than really fix it.”
Another crew-member compared the El Faro to a “40 year old car” while the next recounted the holes in the El Faro’s deck.
At least one of the three former crew members blames Captain Michael Davidson for the ship’s demise, while others fully blame TOTE for sending the ship into Hurricane Joaquin’s path.
TOTE refused to comment on the ex-crew members’ comments about the El Faro and Captain Davidson.
Lambert Zainey has been handling serious maritime accidents for more than 35 years. If you were injured or a loved one killed while working on a vessel, contact us today to learn your legal rights.