El Faro's second mate: Captain's options were 'limited'

Faro

(JACKSONVILLE, Fla.) — El Faro's second mate, who was vacationing when the ship embarked on its fatal voyage, said the captain thought he had put Hurricane Joaquin behind him based on inaccurate weather forecasts and had few options when informed the storm was directly in front of him, JOC.com reported. Charles Baird, testifying before the U.S. Coast Guard Marine Board of Investigation, described Capt. Michael Davidson as “meticulous, very professional.” Baird said Patterson always had accepted Baird’s recommendations for alternate routes to avoid hazardous weather, even if it added time to the voyage.

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By Professional Mariner Staff