The U.S. Coast Guard announced Monday morning they believe the missing U.S.-flagged El Faro container ship likely sank.  The search for the 33 people, 28 Americans and four Polish nationals aboard, continues, Coast Guard officials said.

Contact with the 790-foot ship was lost Thursday as the vessel sailed into the tumultuous path of Category 4 Hurricane Joaquin.  At that time, the ship had lost propulsion and was taking on water, but the crew was reportedly “pumping it successfully,” officials with TOTE Maritime said.

El Faro, a vessel of the TOTE Maritime fleet serving in the Jones Act Puerto Rice trade, departed Tuesday from Jacksonville, Florida headed toward Puerto Rico.

“Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families of the brave crewmembers during this difficult time, “ said Matthew Shaffer, Maritime Attorney and a managing partner of Schechter, Shaffer & Harris, L.L.P..

In his experience, Shaffer said ship-owners will often “race to the courthouse” in an attempt to limit its liability for disasters similar to these.  It is the duty of the ship-owner, however, to avoid severe weather and protect the crew, he said.

The Maritime Attorneys at SMSH have represented ocean-going seaman and their families in numerous maritime disasters occurring worldwide in the last six decades.  SMSH attorneys have been involved in the Deepwater Horizon explosion, the Maersk Alabama piracy case and, recently, represented the family of a young man lost in a dredge sinking. They have helped thousands of clients across the nation, including Shaffer settling the largest single Jones Act lawsuit on record.

About Shaffer & Harris

The Maritime injury attorneys at Maintenance and Cure have spent decades helping victims of all types of accidents. Their attorneys have more than 100 years of combined trial experience in maritime and industrial accidents.

If you are a seaman, offshore worker, or port worker who was injured as a result of negligence, call 800-282-2122 today to schedule a free, confidential consultation with a maritime injury attorney at SMSH. Legal assistance is available both in English and Spanish (Español).