Board of Investigation releases El Faro hearing transcripts

SEPTEMBER 8, 2016 — The U.S. Coast Guard’s Marine Board of Investigation has completed its review of the transcripts for the first public hearing session into the loss of the S.S. El Faro held in February.

The 790-ft, U.S.-flagged, TOTE cargo ship sank October 1, 2015, during Hurricane Joaquin while sailing from Jacksonville, FL, to San Juan, Puerto Rico. All 33 aboard perished in the accident.

The transcripts provide a written record of the public proceedings and cover all 10 days of the first session.

They are available HERE

The Board says that it remains in the fact-finding phase of its investigation and a third hearing session, anticipated for this winter, will examine additional elements of the investigation including information retrieved from the El Faro’s Voyage Data Recorder.

This final hearing session is anticipated to conclude the fact-finding phase of the investigation.

Once the Coast Guard’s fact finding is completed, the MBI will shift to the analysis phase and work independently from the National Transportation Safety Board’s concurrent investigation. When the MBI completes its report of investigation it will submit it to the commandant of the Coast Guard.

After the commandant reviews the report and makes his final determinations on any safety recommendations, it will be made public.