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Container Ship El Faro; 35 NM NE of Crooked Islands, Bahamas

35 NM NE of Crooked Islands, Bahamas | 2015-Oct-05

Initial Notification: On October 05, 2015, 7th Coast Guard District contacted the NOAA SSC regarding a possible sunken container ship, the El Faro Monday, which is believed to have sunk during Hurricane Joaquin. While searching in the vicinity of the ship's last known position 35 nautical miles northeast of Crooked Islands, Bahamas, the Coast Guard located a deceased person in a survival suit in the water. A heavily damaged life boat with markings consistent with those on board the El Faro, a partially submerged life raft, life jackets, life rings, cargo containers and an oil sheen were also located by Coast Guard aircrews within a 225 square nautical mile search area. Search and rescue operations continue. Coast Guard has requested assistance with trajectory assessment for potential oil spill associated with sunken vessel.

Incident Details
Primary threat:Oil
Tags:Collision
Total amount at risk of spill: 6500 barrels
Latitude (approximate): 23° 7.20′ North
Longitude (approximate): 73° 17.40′ West