Posted:
October 14, 2015
By Captain Earl Loftfield
Master, SS El Yunque
From: Capt
Sent: Saturday, October 03, 2015 7:13 PM
To: TSI Seastar Inbox
Subject: voyage plan
All concerned,
El Yunque Sail plan was / is south towards Port Everglades.
Weather predictions show that storm will be clear.
Chose east through Bahamas via Providence Channel instead of south and around via Old Bahama Channel.
Overtook salvage tug "Sentinel".
With VHF comms we learned they are the first vessel scheduled to arrive on scene.
Also confirmed the EPIRB position of 23-26.3N / 73-51.6W as of 1:03 PM local time Oct 1.
That was about 6 hours from El Faro's last communication.
El Faro EPIRB is no longer transmitting.
We have reviewed the wind and currents for that location from that time until present.
Our normal scheduled route will take us very close to that potential drift location about 0600 Sunday.
Normal working overtime for deck gang during those hours will be as lookouts.
NO PLANS for search pattern.
However, motor life boat is ready for good fortune.
We will be out of area by 1000 and will provide ETA for San Juan before noon Sunday.
If we spot debris, who wants immediate notification?
Regards,
Earl Loftfield
Master SS El Yunque
--
-----Original Message-----
From: JLawrence
Sent: Saturday, October 03, 2015 10:52 PM
To: capt
Subject: RE: voyage plan
Captain,
Per our conversation tonight, I notified CG that you will be first ship to transit site in morning. If you spot any debris or El Faro, notify USCG Miami and myself immediately.
Regards,
John
Captain John Lawrence | Manager, Safety & Operations | TOTE Services
10550 Deerwood Park Blvd., Suite 602, Jacksonville, FL 32256
--
From: Capt
Sent: Sunday, October 04, 2015 7:00 AM
To: John Lawrence
Subject: 0645 4 Oct
Good morning,
El Yunque is 40 miles due north of last reported position.
We have radio contact with the salvage tug Hawk.
They are within 1.2 miles of El Faro position.
They report debris including one intact 20' shipping container.
Weather conditions are excellent.
Mixed swell less than 8'.
Wind from west at 12 kts.
Very few clouds.
Visibility more than 20 miles.
Course due south
Speed 15 kts.
We will clear area in 3 hours and resume full speed to SJ.
Regards,
SS El Yunque
--
From: Capt
Sent: Sunday, October 04, 2015 10:52 AM
To: John Lawrence
Subject: 1030 4 Oct
All concerned,
Lat 23-23.910N
Long 073-57.451W
This is the apparent point of origin for plume of oil rising and creating a slick.
At this location oil was black on the water and air smelled strongly of same.
We found the slick after traveling through a debris field for 25 miles, at times having as many as 50 simultaneous sightings.
All significant sightings were reported to tug Hawk who recorded positions for investigations.
Many pieces of insulated containers though none floating with markings up.
We are coming up to full speed and will provide ETA San Juan momentarily.
Regards,
SS El Yunque
It snowed once, more than it had in years,
Above a village in Tibet, and come spring the
temperature climbed way higher than normal.
A tidal wave of slush roared down the mountain
and wiped out many families. The Buddha
stood by and watched, then walked slowly off.
What the average person did not see was
that all those souls dove headfirst into him.
He mixed them in his being. They ran through
his veins shouting with joy.
What could you know of anything if you have
a list of complaints against old friends? (1)
--
-----Original Message-----
From: frank
Sent: Sunday, October 04, 2015 9:02 PM
To: capt
Subject: Earl
I don't know what to say. It was probably your worst day ever.
--
-----Original Message-----
From: Capt
Sent: Monday, October 05, 2015 8:39 AM
To: frank
Subject: RE: Earl
Those of us who choose to go to sea live a life that cannot be conceived of or understood by those who do not.
What we see, know and believe cannot be accepted or trusted by non-sailors.
Our visit to the site was immense in closure for us and for our brethren that have journeyed on.
The validity of our experience is denied by a public that hopes it cannot be true.
6 hours after our reported experience I am told TOTE is doing everything humanly possible to find the El Faro.
That separate reality is part of the 'worst day ever'.
Every dairy farmer knows the cows have to be milked every 12 hours. NO MATTER WHAT ELSE IS GOING ON IN THE LIFE OF THE FARMER. How can the farmer wall off the grief and shock? He must be inhuman! And yet society thrives on the sweat of his efforts.
Time for us to go milk the cows.
Us cold, heartless, inhuman bastards.
Cargo to deliver - now more than ever.
--
Monday 6 October: 1020
Crew assembled in Mess Hall for ship's meeting. Above communications read aloud. Significance of what we have witnessed is acknowledged. The Pain. The Rage. The Knowing. The Work. Our safety through situational awareness and the stilling of afflictive emotions. Cautionary mention of predators ashore wanting to exploit the grieving and the possibility of 'hearing the truth you've spoken twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools' (2)
--
From: Capt
Sent: Wednesday, October 07, 2015 4:09 PM
To: TSI Seastar Inbox
Subject: towards closure
All concerned:
Circumstances had El Yunque pass over a rising plume of oil on Sunday October 4th.
We sailors see what we see and have our judgments about what is indicated.
Our journey to the site - to know that the scene was witnessed as we would wish for ourselves - is moving.
Circumstances on our return to Jacksonville included delayed sailing, orders to get to Jax as soon as possible, followed by a slow down order 7 hours later and again changed to as soon as possible 10 AM today Wednesday the 7th. Two hours later we made a perfect rendezvous with a life ring from the El Faro.
We have recovered it. It is our final farewell.
It is our desire in the continuing journey of grieving and closure that SIU officials (on behalf of all family) meet the vessel and receive this life ring from the crew of the El Yunque.
No one can display this memorial in a more public and touching way than the SIU Hall in Jacksonville. It is a part of the healing process that the El Yunque and her crew have this role.
We are now an only child on this route. We will miss seeing our sister twice a week.
If NTSB insists on the ring as evidence for investigation, please implore them to officially receive it from SIU at the time of its presentation to SIU.
Regards,
SS El Yunque
--
Friday, 9 October: 1400
The wives of the Polish riding crew made the long journey from Poland to see where their most beloveds slept alone without them, ate without them, food they did not prepare for them. To see the 'home away from home' that is nothing like home. The widows bring a bouquet of roses with the request we go to the site and drop them on the water.
--
Sunday, 11 October: 2005
Lat 23-23.9N
Long 073-57.4W
Crew gathered on the bow. Moonless night. Sea was flat. Eternity over the rail.
With each of 33 strikes of the ship's bell, a flower was dropped in the water.
Our ritual is complete. The mark on our souls will endure - is supposed to endure - forever.
Lightning began far in the distance two points to port and continued throughout the watch. A meteor burned bright, arcing towards the lightning.
We sailors see what we see and have our judgments about what is indicated.
--
(1) A Year With Hafiz; Daniel Ladinsky
(2) If; Rudyard Kipling
The Sister's Journey
By Captain Earl Loftfield
Master, SS El Yunque
From: Capt
Sent: Saturday, October 03, 2015 7:13 PM
To: TSI Seastar Inbox
Subject: voyage plan
All concerned,
El Yunque Sail plan was / is south towards Port Everglades.
Weather predictions show that storm will be clear.
Chose east through Bahamas via Providence Channel instead of south and around via Old Bahama Channel.
Overtook salvage tug "Sentinel".
With VHF comms we learned they are the first vessel scheduled to arrive on scene.
Also confirmed the EPIRB position of 23-26.3N / 73-51.6W as of 1:03 PM local time Oct 1.
That was about 6 hours from El Faro's last communication.
El Faro EPIRB is no longer transmitting.
We have reviewed the wind and currents for that location from that time until present.
Our normal scheduled route will take us very close to that potential drift location about 0600 Sunday.
Normal working overtime for deck gang during those hours will be as lookouts.
NO PLANS for search pattern.
However, motor life boat is ready for good fortune.
We will be out of area by 1000 and will provide ETA for San Juan before noon Sunday.
If we spot debris, who wants immediate notification?
Regards,
Earl Loftfield
Master SS El Yunque
--
-----Original Message-----
From: JLawrence
Sent: Saturday, October 03, 2015 10:52 PM
To: capt
Subject: RE: voyage plan
Captain,
Per our conversation tonight, I notified CG that you will be first ship to transit site in morning. If you spot any debris or El Faro, notify USCG Miami and myself immediately.
Regards,
John
Captain John Lawrence | Manager, Safety & Operations | TOTE Services
10550 Deerwood Park Blvd., Suite 602, Jacksonville, FL 32256
--
From: Capt
Sent: Sunday, October 04, 2015 7:00 AM
To: John Lawrence
Subject: 0645 4 Oct
Good morning,
El Yunque is 40 miles due north of last reported position.
We have radio contact with the salvage tug Hawk.
They are within 1.2 miles of El Faro position.
They report debris including one intact 20' shipping container.
Weather conditions are excellent.
Mixed swell less than 8'.
Wind from west at 12 kts.
Very few clouds.
Visibility more than 20 miles.
Course due south
Speed 15 kts.
We will clear area in 3 hours and resume full speed to SJ.
Regards,
SS El Yunque
--
From: Capt
Sent: Sunday, October 04, 2015 10:52 AM
To: John Lawrence
Subject: 1030 4 Oct
All concerned,
Lat 23-23.910N
Long 073-57.451W
This is the apparent point of origin for plume of oil rising and creating a slick.
At this location oil was black on the water and air smelled strongly of same.
We found the slick after traveling through a debris field for 25 miles, at times having as many as 50 simultaneous sightings.
All significant sightings were reported to tug Hawk who recorded positions for investigations.
Many pieces of insulated containers though none floating with markings up.
We are coming up to full speed and will provide ETA San Juan momentarily.
Regards,
SS El Yunque
It snowed once, more than it had in years,
Above a village in Tibet, and come spring the
temperature climbed way higher than normal.
A tidal wave of slush roared down the mountain
and wiped out many families. The Buddha
stood by and watched, then walked slowly off.
What the average person did not see was
that all those souls dove headfirst into him.
He mixed them in his being. They ran through
his veins shouting with joy.
What could you know of anything if you have
a list of complaints against old friends? (1)
--
-----Original Message-----
From: frank
Sent: Sunday, October 04, 2015 9:02 PM
To: capt
Subject: Earl
I don't know what to say. It was probably your worst day ever.
--
-----Original Message-----
From: Capt
Sent: Monday, October 05, 2015 8:39 AM
To: frank
Subject: RE: Earl
Those of us who choose to go to sea live a life that cannot be conceived of or understood by those who do not.
What we see, know and believe cannot be accepted or trusted by non-sailors.
Our visit to the site was immense in closure for us and for our brethren that have journeyed on.
The validity of our experience is denied by a public that hopes it cannot be true.
6 hours after our reported experience I am told TOTE is doing everything humanly possible to find the El Faro.
That separate reality is part of the 'worst day ever'.
Every dairy farmer knows the cows have to be milked every 12 hours. NO MATTER WHAT ELSE IS GOING ON IN THE LIFE OF THE FARMER. How can the farmer wall off the grief and shock? He must be inhuman! And yet society thrives on the sweat of his efforts.
Time for us to go milk the cows.
Us cold, heartless, inhuman bastards.
Cargo to deliver - now more than ever.
--
Monday 6 October: 1020
Crew assembled in Mess Hall for ship's meeting. Above communications read aloud. Significance of what we have witnessed is acknowledged. The Pain. The Rage. The Knowing. The Work. Our safety through situational awareness and the stilling of afflictive emotions. Cautionary mention of predators ashore wanting to exploit the grieving and the possibility of 'hearing the truth you've spoken twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools' (2)
--
From: Capt
Sent: Wednesday, October 07, 2015 4:09 PM
To: TSI Seastar Inbox
Subject: towards closure
All concerned:
Circumstances had El Yunque pass over a rising plume of oil on Sunday October 4th.
We sailors see what we see and have our judgments about what is indicated.
Our journey to the site - to know that the scene was witnessed as we would wish for ourselves - is moving.
Circumstances on our return to Jacksonville included delayed sailing, orders to get to Jax as soon as possible, followed by a slow down order 7 hours later and again changed to as soon as possible 10 AM today Wednesday the 7th. Two hours later we made a perfect rendezvous with a life ring from the El Faro.
We have recovered it. It is our final farewell.
It is our desire in the continuing journey of grieving and closure that SIU officials (on behalf of all family) meet the vessel and receive this life ring from the crew of the El Yunque.
No one can display this memorial in a more public and touching way than the SIU Hall in Jacksonville. It is a part of the healing process that the El Yunque and her crew have this role.
We are now an only child on this route. We will miss seeing our sister twice a week.
If NTSB insists on the ring as evidence for investigation, please implore them to officially receive it from SIU at the time of its presentation to SIU.
Regards,
SS El Yunque
--
Friday, 9 October: 1400
The wives of the Polish riding crew made the long journey from Poland to see where their most beloveds slept alone without them, ate without them, food they did not prepare for them. To see the 'home away from home' that is nothing like home. The widows bring a bouquet of roses with the request we go to the site and drop them on the water.
--
Sunday, 11 October: 2005
Lat 23-23.9N
Long 073-57.4W
Crew gathered on the bow. Moonless night. Sea was flat. Eternity over the rail.
With each of 33 strikes of the ship's bell, a flower was dropped in the water.
Our ritual is complete. The mark on our souls will endure - is supposed to endure - forever.
Lightning began far in the distance two points to port and continued throughout the watch. A meteor burned bright, arcing towards the lightning.
We sailors see what we see and have our judgments about what is indicated.
--
(1) A Year With Hafiz; Daniel Ladinsky
(2) If; Rudyard Kipling