The US Coast Guard’s (USCG) Marine Board of Investigation’s probe into the El Faro disaster started its second phase on Monday and heard testimony that the ship’s captain planned to “shoot under” the storm that would ultimately doom it.
The man who piloted El Faro out of Jacksonville at the start of the fateful journey on September 29, Eric Bryson, told the hearing that he spoke with El Faro’s captain Michael Davidson prior to the boat’s departure and Davidson planned to “shoot under” the storm.
The second round of hearings is set to last two weeks. A third round of hearings at a future date should be able to consider whatever may be gleaned from the VDR if it is successfully recovered.
