This blog presents Metropolitan Engineering Consulting & Forensics (MEC&F) claim management and claim investigation analyses of some of the typical claims we handle
The stern of the El Faro is shown on the ocean floor taken from an underwater video camera on November 1, 2015. Image courtesy NTSB via Reuters
NTSB: El Faro Master Gave Order to Abandon Ship, VDR Data Reveals
August 24, 2016 by gCaptain
Twenty-six hours of data and audio pulled from the El Faro’s voyage data recorder is providing investigators with important clues about the ship’s sinking during Hurricane Joaquin last October, including that the Master gave the order to abandon ship about 10 minutes before the data cuts off.
The new details were released Wednesday by the National Transportation Board after it revealed that it successfully recovered about 26 hours worth of information from the VDR, which was recovered earlier this month off the coast of the Bahamas.
Information recovered includes bridge audio, weather data and navigational data. The NTSB said that it will be convening a voyage data recorder group to help develop a detailed transcript of the sounds and discernible words captured on the El Faro’s bridge audio.
The voyage data recorder from El Faro, the American cargo ship that sank during Hurricane Joaquin in October 2015 with loss of all 33 on board, was successfully recovered from the ocean floor Aug. 8, 2016, and transported to the NTSB’s laboratory in Washington, D.C. for review. Information from the El Faro’s VDR was successfully recovered Aug. 15.
The NTSB said Wednesday that numerous events leading up to the loss of the El Faro are heard on the VDR’s audio, recorded from microphones on the ship’s bridge. The quality of the recording is degraded because of high levels of background noise, and there are other when the content of crew discussion is difficult to determine, the NTSB said. At other times the content me be able to be determined using audio filtering.
A few key points outlined today by the NTSB:
The recording began about 5:37 a.m., Sept. 30, 2015 – about 8 hours after the El Faro departed Jacksonville, Florida, with the ship about 150 nautical miles southeast of the city.
The bridge audio from the morning of Oct. 1, captured the master and crew discussing their actions regarding flooding and the vessel’s list.
The vessel’s loss of propulsion was mentioned on the bridge audio about 6:13 a.m. Also captured was the master speaking on the telephone, notifying shoreside personnel of the vessel’s critical situation, and preparing to abandon ship if necessary.
The master ordered abandon ship and sounded the alarm about 7:30 a.m., Oct. 1, 2015. The recording ended about 10 minutes later when the El Faro was about 39 nautical miles northeast of Crooked Island, Bahamas.
The times are preliminary and subject to change and final validation by the voyage data recorder group, the NTSB noted.
The VDR group’s technical experts will continue reviewing the entire recording, including crew discussions regarding the weather situation and the operation and condition of the ship.
Families of the El Faro’s crew were briefed about the results of the audition Wednesday prior to the NTSB’s release to the public.
The NTSB said it remains unknown how long it will take to develop the final transcript of the El Faro’s VDR. The length of the recording and high levels of background noise will make transcript development a time consuming process, the NTSB said.
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26 Hours of Information Recovered from El Faro Voyage Data Recorder 8/24/2016
WASHINGTON — The National Transportation Safety Board announced Wednesday the convening of a voyage data recorder group, Monday, to develop a detailed transcript of the sounds and discernible words captured on the El Faro’s bridge audio, following the audition of the ship’s VDR.
The voyage data recorder from the El Faro, a US flagged cargo ship that sank during Hurricane Joaquin in October 2015, was successfully recovered from the ocean floor Aug. 8, 2016, and transported to the NTSB’s laboratory here Aug. 12. Information from the El Faro’s VDR was successfully recovered Aug. 15.
About 26 hours of information was recovered from the VDR, including bridge audio, navigational data, onboard radar images and wind data. Investigators examined the VDR, found it to be in good condition, and downloaded its memory module data in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommended procedures.
Numerous events leading up to the loss of the El Faro are heard on the VDR’s audio, recorded from microphones on the ship’s bridge. The quality of audio contains high levels of background noise. There are times during the recording when the content of crew discussion is difficult to determine, at other times the content can be determined using advanced audio filtering.
The recording began about 5:37 a.m., Sept. 30, 2015 – about 8 hours after the El Faro departed Jacksonville, Florida, with the ship about 150 nautical miles southeast of the city. The bridge audio from the morning of Oct. 1, captured the master and crew discussing their actions regarding flooding and the vessel’s list. The vessel’s loss of propulsion was mentioned on the bridge audio about 6:13 a.m. Also captured was the master speaking on the telephone, notifying shoreside personnel of the vessel’s critical situation. He also informed them he was going to send out an emergency distress signal. The master sounded the abandon ship alarm about 7:30 a.m., Oct. 1, 2015. The recording ended about 10 minutes later when the El Faro was about 39 nautical miles northeast of Crooked Island, Bahamas. These times are preliminary and subject to change and final validation by the voyage data recorder group.
The VDR group, comprised of technical experts, will continue reviewing the entire recording, including crew discussions regarding the weather situation and the operation and condition of the ship.
Families of the El Faro’s crew were briefed about the results of the audition Wednesday prior to the NTSB’s public release of the characterization of the audition. It remains unknown how long it will take to develop the final transcript of the El Faro’s VDR. The length of the recording and high levels of background noise will make transcript development a time consuming process. An update will be provided when warranted
California Highway Patrol officers say a car heading east on Highway 180 was waiting for traffic to clear to make a left turn near Howard. (KFSN)
Wednesday, August 24, 2016 11:32PM
FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- One person is dead Wednesday after a four-vehicle crash on Highway 180 near Kerman.
California Highway Patrol officers say a car heading east on Highway 180 was waiting for traffic to clear to make a left turn near Howard. The car behind it had stopped but a third vehicle didn't and rear-ended the other two cars.
The impact of the crash caused the first car to collide with traffic heading west and the driver of the second car died at the scene.
Two other people involved were taken to Community Regional Medical Center with major injuries.
The search is on for the driver who struck and killed a motorcyclist in Reseda and fled the scene Wednesday morning. (KABC)
By Leo Stallworth Updated 2 hrs 8 mins ago RESEDA, LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- The search is on for the driver who struck and killed a motorcyclist in Reseda and fled the scene Wednesday morning.
The incident occurred in the intersection of Vanowen Street and Tampa Avenue shortly before 7 a.m. Investigators said a motorcyclist slammed into the side of a truck as the driver made a turn at the intersection.
Authorities said the driver then sped off, leaving the motorcyclist to die in the street.
"At this moment the motorcyclist lost his life here at the scene. The responsibility of the driver of that truck was to remain at the scene. He chose not to," said Bill Bustos with Los Angeles police. "He was in the best position to call 911, to call paramedics, and that did not occur. He decided to ride his truck westbound while failing to render aid, becoming a felony hit-and-run crime."
Investigators released surveillance video captured by a nearby business that shows the hit-and-run vehicle taking off after the tragic collision.
"We are sharing that video with Channel 7 and all the media in hopes that somebody in the community will recognize that truck and will recognize what happened at 6:45 this morning and will contact Los Angeles Police Department," Bustos said.
Travis Jackson, who heard the collision, says he was horrified by the tragic crash and could not believe the driver of the truck didn't stop.
"Well that's totally wrong for you just to hit-and-run on anyone, you know, it's people out here trying to travel, to get places safely, go to work safely, and for you to hit-and-run, that's someone's family member, and their family is worrying about them," Jackson said.
Detectives say there has been a recent spike in collisions between drivers and motorcyclists, and many of them have been fatal accidents.
"We believe because of the weather, there are more motorcyclist on the road," Bustos said.
The identity of the motorcyclist was not released, though he was described by police as having been in his early 20s.
A 59-year-old woman is dead after falling approximately 40 feet from a zip line at a Delaware state park, police say. (WPVI)
By Dann Cuellar Wednesday, August 24, 2016 11:38PM
BEAR, Del. (WPVI) -- A 59-year-old woman is dead after falling approximately 40 feet from a zip line at a Delaware state park, police say.
The fatal accident occurred around 1:40 p.m. Wednesday at the Go Ape Tree Top Adventure attraction at the Lums Pond State Park, located at 1068 Howell School Road in Bear.
Authorities say paramedics had to perform CPR en route to Christiana Hospital where she was pronounced dead.
Other guests - some veterans of zip lining - were saddened and shocked about how something like this could have happened.
"I mean it's very safe, the equipment is very safe," said John Lunsford of Bear, Delaware.
A 59-year-old woman is dead after falling approximately 40 feet from a zip line at a Delaware state park, police say.
According to the company's website, Go Ape offers a tree-top adventure experience, featuring a 2-3 hour journey through the forest canopy.
This as you take on suspended obstacles, Tarzan swings and breath-taking zip lines with an incredible view of the park.
"The staff basically takes you through how to hook up to the wires and everything as you're going across all the obstacles," said Lunsford.
"To me it's always been very safe, and it's a super fun activity around this area for sure," said Tara Altenritter of Bear, Delaware.
Lunsford says he could imagine how it's possible for someone to fall.
"I could imagine, yes. I mean if they didn't go through the precautions of hooking themselves up with the carabiners, lost their balance and fell whatever point on the platform, it could be possible," said Lunsford.
"I mean I could see how it could happen as just a complete accident," said Altenritter.
In a statement, Chris Swallo, the director of Go Ape, says, "Our thoughts and prayers go out to her family and friends and in particular to those who were on the course with her at the time."
The 59-year-old woman's identity has not been released pending notification of family.
The sergeant was thrown 15 feet on impact, and was knocked out of his shoes. He suffered serious injuries.
By Katherine Scott Updated 23 mins ago MANAYUNK (WPVI) -- A Philadelphia police sergeant suffered serious injuries after he was struck by a hit-and-run driver early Thursday morning in Manayunk.
Police say the sergeant and another officer were conducting a traffic stop on the 4100 block of Main Street near Shurs Lane just before 1 a.m. when the incident happened.
Witnesses told police that the driver of a 2008 Toyota Rav-4 was traveling south on Main Street, hit the officer, damaged a patrol car, and then fled the scene.
Officers had overhead flashing lights on at the time.
The sergeant was thrown 15 feet, and the impact knocked him out of his shoes.
He was taken to Einstein Medical Center for injuries to his neck, right shoulder, elbow and a knee.
Police officers stopped the suspected hit-and-run driver on the 400 block of Conarroe Street in Roxborough which is about a mile away from where the hit-and run happened.
The 21-year-old driver was taken into custody.
Police say he displayed signs of being under the influence, and was taken to Police Headquarters for a breathalyzer test.
The stern of the El Faro is shown on the ocean floor taken from an underwater video camera on November 1, 2015. Image courtesy NTSB via Reuters 
