Vice Chairman T. Bella Dinh-Zarr briefs the media on the NTSB investigation of the El Faro accident. Photo: NTSB
Theresa Davidson, the wife of Captain Michael Davidson, has never spoken publicly about the sinking or her husband’s death aboard the El Faro but she did talk with a team of NTSB and federal investigators on Jan. 5 of this year.
Yesterday the NTSB released the full transcript of the interview despite her written objections.
Multiple times during the interview with Mrs. Davidson NTSB Investigator, Brian Young, interjected personal comments and, what appears to be jokes. Comments that one admiralty, in an interview with gCaptain, calls “wholly inappropriate, leading and possibly interfering with the facts.”
In a letter written to the NTSB, Gregory F. Linsin – a former member of Mrs. Davidson’s legal team – wrote “Mrs. Davidson’s interview contains a series of opinions, comments, and personal perspectives provided by the investigator… While we do not believe that these statements were made by the investigator for any improper motive, we strongly believe that they do not belong in the official transcript of Mrs. Davidson’s interview.”
Brian Young is a graduate of SUNY Maritime College who, from 1990-2013, worked his way up to Chief Engineer aboard Fiber Optic Laying and Repair Vessels. Young was promoted to chief investigator of the El Faro incident after the retirement of Tom Roth-Roffy who had served with the NTSB for 18 years.
Here are a few of the statements made by Young that Mrs. Davidson asked to be removed:
In response to our questions as to why the NTSB refused to honor the request, Bill Bennett – Mrs. Davidson’s current attorney – declined to comment but other sources close to the investigation talked with gCaptain off the record.
“I do not see the pertinence of many of the questions asked of family and friends of the El Faro’s officers. And some questions that were asked, like the personal relationships of the ship’s Second Mate, are wholly inappropriate and potentially damaging to investigation itself and the good name of brave mariners lost at sea.” said one captain with expertise in marine investigations. “But the more troubling question is that of fairness. If questions are asked of the officer’s friends and families why aren’t the same questions asked of friends of Totes managers, surveyors, and others shoreside?”
Experts also question why others are not being interviewed. “USCG Captain John Mauger questioned the ACP which is in direct conflict with the Marine Electric findings. Who at the USCG and ABS signed off on that program and why are they not on the docket?”
Another source put it more simply. “I care less about the inappropriateness of comments and more about the skimming over of details. Why was Captain Davidson fired from Crowley? Why did Mrs. Davidson never meet her husband’s boss? Why did Tote never provider her with an emergency contact number? The answer is, we don’t know.”
The most succinct comment we heard today was said in reference to the famously tenacious investigator of the Marine Electric incident; “Mr. Young is competent but we don’t need basic competency, we need someone who can dig, someone who can ask hard questions, investigate elusive answers and build a steady chain of witnesses. What we need is a Domenic Calicchio“
Join the gCaptain Club for curated content, insider opinions, and vibrant community discussions.
Join the 110,240 members that receive our newsletter.
Have a news tip? Let us know.
By Malte Humpert (gCaptain) – A U.S. nuclear aircraft carrier is operating in the Arctic for only the third time since the end of the Cold War. The USS Harry...
Two U.S. Navy destroyers successfully fended off a significant multi-pronged attack while navigating the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait on Monday. Pentagon Press Secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder confirmed the incident on Tuesday,...
China is stepping up pressure on the Philippines to concede its sovereign rights in the South China Sea, Manila's Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro said on Tuesday after meeting his Australian counterpart in Canberra.
Access exclusive insights, engage in vibrant discussions, and gain perspectives from our CEO.
Sign Up
Maritime and offshore news trusted by our 110,240 members delivered daily straight to your inbox.
Essential news coupled with the finest maritime content sourced from across the globe.
Sign Up
Join The Club
