Testimony in the Coast Guard’s third and final investigative hearing into the sinking of the cargo ship El Faro will focus on the ship’s stability and the audio contained on the vessel’s voyage data recorder.
Capt. Raymond Thompson, a former chief mate on the El Faro, testified Monday that he was not sure if life jackets were stored on the bridge as required.
Thompson was also questioned about reports that crew members of the El Faro were exhausted from having to work long shifts without sleep, WCSH-TV in Portland reported.
The 790-foot El Faro sank on Oct. 1, 2015, after losing propulsion in a hurricane while traveling from Jacksonville to Puerto Rico. All 33 aboard died.