* Coast Guard to hold press briefing on search for El Faro – The Coast Guard will hold a press briefing to provide updated information on the search for the El Faro at Coast Guard Air Station Miami, at 10 a.m. Monday, October 5th
Miami, FL (October 4th, 2015) – Coast Guard search and rescue crews have located multiple objects in the water in the search area for the El Faro.
Life jackets, life rings, containers and an oil sheen have been located by Coast Guard aircrews. The objects have not been confirmed to be from the El Faro at this time.
Coast Guard assets involved in Sunday’s search include:
- Two HC-130 Hercules airplane from Coast Guard Air Station Clearwater, Florida.
- Coast Guard Cutter Northland, homeported in Portsmouth, Virginia.
- An MH-60 Jayhawk from Coast Guard Air Station Clearwater, Florida.
The Coast Guard Cutter Charles Sexton and the Coast Guard Cutter Resolute are en-route to assist with the search.
Other agencies involved in the search include the U.S. Air Force and the U.S. Navy.
Sea and weather conditions during today’s search include one-foot seas and 15 knots winds with unrestricted visibility.
Jacksonville, FL (October 4, 2015) – At 12:00 EST Tim Nolan, President of TOTE Maritime Puerto Rico issued the following statement regarding ongoing efforts to locate and communicate with the El Faro and her crew.
“This morning TOTE Maritime Puerto Rico’s second ship, the El Yunque, and a contracted tugboat reached the area between the last known vicinity of the El Faro and the location that the Coast Guard recovered a life ring yesterday and carried out a visual survey.
The two vessels discovered a container, which appears to be from the El Faro, and observed what appears to be an oil sheen.
At this time there has been no sighting of the El Faro or any life boats.
TOTE Maritime Puerto Rico and the Coast Guard remain focused on the continuing search for the crew. The contracted tugs as well as other vessels transiting the area are also keeping a lookout for any sign of the ship.
Our thoughts and prayers remain with the 33 individuals aboard the ship and their families. They are our number one priority.”
The dedicated media information line is (866.890.6763) and the incident website is www.ElFaroIncident.com. TOTE Maritime Puerto Rico continues to work closely with the Coast Guard and all activated resources in the search and will make timely, accurate updates via the website and phone line as they are available.