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Problems with TOTE emergency call center were reported well before El Faro's sinking

By Lorena Inclan, Action News Jax
By Lorena Inclan, Action News Jax

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Problems with TOTE’s emergency call center were brought to light at least a month prior to the sinking of El Faro.

That’s just one of the new details to come out of the Marine Board of Investigation hearing into the casualty.

The board has brought back executives who have previously testified for follow-up questions now that they have the benefit of the voyage data recorder transcripts.

The former director of marine services and safety for TOTE Services, Lee Peterson, was the first to testify Monday. He is now the director of operations for TOTE Maritime Puerto Rico.

On the morning of the sinking, Capt. Michael Davidson called the company's emergency call center asking to be transferred to a "QI," or qualified individual. Action News Jax reported in February 2016 how Davidson sounded frustrated on that call as he was asked to repeat things and was placed on brief holds.

In early September 2015, El Faro reported what the board called a “minor oil spill,” which also resulted in a phone call to the emergency call center. According to the board, Davidson met with the same problems on that call.

“Capt. Lawrence reached out to the call center to try to rectify the problem. It was never rectified. Can you explain why that might not have happened?” asked board member Keith Fawcett.

“He realized that they weren’t reacting as quickly as we would’ve liked and we were being proactive trying to rectify that. I don’t have an answer as far as your particular question,” said Peterson.

Questions concerning a potentially fatigued crew were some of the first to be asked in Monday’s hearing.

When it comes to oversight on rest hours for the crew, Peterson said auditors would go aboard vessels to check logs, and those reports would go to his office.

“Would you see the audit reports so that as director of safety that you would ensure that the mariners are in compliance?” asked Fawcett.

“The reports would come to the office. I don’t know that we looked at that particular one,” said Peterson.

Peterson said that the captain also looks at the reports and makes sure his crew is in compliance. Capt. John Lawrence, the director of fleet safety for TOTE Services, who also testified Monday, said the captain is responsible for controlling rest hours but crew members can report issues with the company.

In previous testimony, we heard from former El Faro crew members who said that Davidson was strict about rest hours and often took on watches so that his crew could get proper rest.

The board also questioned why a safety coordinator position was never filled despite someone being interviewed for that position.

Peterson said ultimately the president of the company decided not to fill that position. Lawrence later added that at the time they were looking to hire a safety coordinator the company was undergoing some layoffs.

Peterson spoke highly about El Faro’s engineering crew, referring to them as “competent” and “enjoyable to be around.”

He said El Faro’s chief engineer, Richard Pusatere, was very competent and “holds a special place” with him.

Pusatere’s father, Frank Pusatere, has been a steady presence at the Marine Board of Investigation hearings. He said he appreciates the transparency on the part of the Coast Guard in the process so far.

“It’s the truth and anytime you’re informed of the truth, it just helps you put things in better perspective,” said Frank Pusatere.

The hearing will reconvene on Tuesday at 9 a.m. at the Prime Osborn Convention Center.

Cox Media Group

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