UPDATE: CNN is reporting that the El Fargo cargo ship sank. Searchers are now looking for survivors of the ship that was caught in Hurricane Joaquin.
Caribbean 360 is reporting the search for a missing cargo ship carrying 33 passengers is still ongoing. The author writes:
“The Coast Guard had received a report that the 735-foot ship lost propulsion and was taking on water, but that the flooding had been contained. The ship, which was carrying 685 containers and 28 American and five Polish crew, was heading to San Juan, Puerto Rico from Jacksonville, Florida.
In a statement issued last night, the ship’s operator TOTE Maritime Puerto Rico said the discovery of the life ring, etched with markings from El Faro, reflects that the ship was caught in rough seas and extreme weather but is in no way indicative of the ship’s fate.
‘In fact, it helps confirm the El Faro’s possible location and helps the USCG confirm the search areas. Small items such as life rings and life jackets are lost at sea frequently, particularly in rough weather,’ it said.
‘The US Coast Guard has been working tirelessly, allocating numerous air and surface assets to aid in the search.’”
The Bahamas has been hard hit with category 4 strength winds from Hurricane Joaquin which has dumped 12 to 18 inches of rain (25 inches in some areas) on the island nation. It is estimated that 85 percent of homes on Crooked Island have been destroyed by the storm.
Read more at Caribbean 360.
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