by John Konrad (gCaptain) Rachel Slade is a journalist and author of the bestselling book about the El Faro incident. Her book Into the Raging Sea has received keen reviews from the NY Times, Kirkus, Diesel Duck and gCaptain. Acclaimed maritime journalist Robert Frump says this about her work: “Rachel Slade cuts through the corporate double-speak to … [Read more...]
Sorry Admiral Zukunft, You Are NOT “Clear and Unambiguous”
In the mistakenly-titled article "US Coast Guard seeks tighter grip over third parties in wake of El Faro sinking", Rear Admiral John Nadeau, USCG assistant commandant for prevention policy, told Fairplay that “the (USCG Commandant's) El Faro final action memo is clear and unambiguous: we have an obligation to do better oversight”. This statement by RADM Nadeau is patently … [Read more...]
El Faro MBI Report – Heavy On Blame, Light On Penalty
by Captain John Konrad (gCaptain) Today the United States Coast Guard issued the Marine Board of Investigation (MBI) report on the S.S. El Faro. The 189 page report reveals serious failures by Tote managers, USCG personnel and the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) but recommended few penalties against them. Some marine experts assumed the report would recommend that Tote be … [Read more...]
USCG Calls For PLBs On EVERY Life Jacket
Access the report: Coast Guard Releases El Faro Investigation Report In the United States Coast Guard's upcoming El Faro investigation report, Captain Jason Neubauer USCG, Chairman of the Marine Board of Investigation, will recommend that all Personal Flotation Devices on oceangoing commercial vessels be outfitted with a Personal Locator Beacon. On the morning of … [Read more...]
Coast Guard Hearings Wrap-Up in El Faro Probe
By Letitia Stein TAMPA, Fla., Feb 17 (Reuters) - U.S. investigators stood in silence for 33 seconds on Friday as they concluded the public phase of a probe into the sinking of the El Faro cargo ship during a 2015 hurricane, recognizing each crew member aboard who died. The Coast Guard's Marine Board of Investigation, convened for the most serious accidents, heard two … [Read more...]