El Faro Crewman's Family Holding Out Hope In Jacksonville

WJCT News | By Jessica Palombo

Published October 5, 2015 at 2:10 PM EDT

Families of crewmembers have been gathering at the Jacksonville Seafarers International Union hall. Many of the crew aboard El Faro were based in Northeast Florida.

Coast Guard crews are continuing to search for possible survivors from the cargo ship El Faro, which is believed to have sunk during Hurricane Joaquin near the Bahamas. The ship left from Jacksonville last Tuesday and the search began Friday.

One of the 33 crew members aboard was Shawn Rivera. His great-uncle, Barry Young, was with other crew members’ families near the Seafarers International Union hall Monday afternoon.

He says he’s praying for his great-nephew to come home.

“Hope is in essence the greatest, one of the most powerful things we have. A person without hope basically feels they have no reason to live, and for that, we’re going to hold onto hope,” Young said.

The Coast Guard has found at least one deceased crewmember. Searchers have also found a life boat with no one inside, other floatation devices and cargo containers.

The Navy and commercial boats are joining the search. Weather conditions are said to be favorable Monday.