JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — For the first time since the Deepwater Horizon explosion, the Coast Guard has convened the Marine Board of Investigation but this time it’s to figure out what caused El Faro, with 33 on board, to sink.
Tuesday’s hearing, which took place at the Prime Osborn Convention Center, started with a moment of silence for the 33 crew members who are believed to have perished. Some families could be heard crying during the moment of silence.
First up to testify under oath was Philip Morrell, vice president of Marine Operations at Tote Services Incorporated.
Among the most significant revelations was an email from El Faro’s Captain Michael Davidson to upper level management on Sept. 30, the same day that then Tropical Storm Joaquin strengthened into a hurricane.
Specific attention was focused on the wording used by Davidson in the email which appeared that he was asking for permission to change route for the trip back from Puerto Rico to Jacksonville. Davidson also informed Tote of his route to try to avoid Hurricane Joaquin.
“He doesn’t need to ask for permission,” said Morrell.
Morrell said he wasn’t sure why Davidson appeared to ask for permission.
Morrell said he didn’t see the email until several hours later because he was in budget meetings all day. He said another Tote official copied on the email replied acknowledging Davidson’s email.
Then focus shifted to routes taken by Captain Davidson during Tropical Storm Erika about a month before Joaquin.
The board noted that Tote officials sent more emails regarding TS Erika than they did for Joaquin.
The Coast Guard also provided PowerPoint presentations that show El Faro took a longer route hugging the Florida coast then sailing north of Cuba while on the way to San Juan in order to avoid TS Erika, a route not taken when Joaquin was forming.
The marine board raised questions about the ability of the 40-year-old vessel to track major storms.
Morrell said several times that the master of the ship, also known as the captain, is in charge of the route the ship takes.
“Master has final decision on which route they will follow,” said Morrell.
Tuesday’s testimony also revealed Davidson was being considered to take over command of one of Tote’s brand new liquefied natural gas powered vessels. However, that offer was taken off the table when Tote leaders learned of Davidson’s involvement in an “incident” in Puerto Rico with another crew member. Tote ended up going with another candidate.
Neither the board nor Morrell elaborated on the “incident.”
Morrell read one of Davidson’s recent evaluations aloud.
“’Capt. Davidson handles all aspects of the master’s position with professionalism’,” said Morrell. “It was signed by the port engineer.”
That evaluation wasn’t completed.
But another Tote Services manager noted that “confidence in his ability as a leader overall was dwindling.”
It’s unclear if Davidson’s final evaluation was ever completed before embarking on El Faro’s final voyage.