WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the U.S. Senate unanimously passed a resolution cosponsored by U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King honoring the lives of the 33 lost crew members of the El Faro, four of whom were from Maine and had graduated from the Maine Maritime Academy (MMA) in Castine along with another crew member who had also attended MMA. The resolution also recognizes the tireless search efforts conducted by the U.S. Coast Guard, Navy, and Airforce, and offers condolences to the family, friends, and loved ones of the crew.

“As Mainers, we know that life on the high seas can be dangerous, which is why we also know that anyone who is willing to confront those dangers embodies a rare type of courage and skill. That was certainly true when it came to the crewmembers of the El Faro,” Senators Collins and King said in a joint statement. “With the unanimous approval of this resolution, the Senate – on behalf of the entire country – honors and pays tribute to those we lost in that heartbreaking accident. We continue to hold them, as well as their friends, families, and loved ones, in our thoughts and prayers, and hope that all touched by this tragedy can find some measure of peace and comfort knowing that their loved ones will not be forgotten.”

The Coast Guard announced on October 5^th that it believes the 790-foot cargo ship sank as a result of encountering Hurricane Joaquin on its way from Jacksonville, Florida to San Juan, Puerto Rico. The ship had four Mainers on board, all of whom went to MMA: Captain Michael Davidson of Windham, Michael Holland of Wilton, Danielle Randolph of Rockland, and Dylan Meklin of Rockland. Also on board was Mitchell Kuflik of Connecticut, who graduated from MMA in 2011.

The resolution was led by Senators Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) and Senators Bill Nelson (D-Fla.). Senators Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Tom Carper (D-Del.), Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Chris Coons (D-Del.), David Perdue (R-Ga.), Mark Warner (D-Va.) and Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) also cosponsored the resolution.

The resolution is available HERE and the full text is below:

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Honoring the lives of the thirty-three crew members aboard the El Faro.

Whereas the El Faro departed Jacksonville, Florida for Puerto Rico on September 29, 2015 with 33 crew members aboard;

Whereas the crew consisted of 28 citizens of the Unites States and 5 Polish nationals;

Whereas the El Faro sent distress alerts on October 1, 2015;

Whereas members of the Coast Guard, Navy and Air Force valiantly searched for the crew members of the El Faro;

Whereas the people of the United States mourn the loss of the 33 seamen aboard the El Faro: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the Senate--

(1) recognizes and honors the lives of the 33 crew members aboard the El Faro who were lost after the El Faro departed on September 29, 2015;

(2) recognizes the valiant search efforts of the Coast Guard, Navy and Air Force who searched for the crew members of the El Faro; and

(3) offers heartfelt condolences to the family, friends, and loved ones of the crew members of the El Faro.

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