El Faro Ship Crew's Story of Struggle and Sacrifice

The El Faro ship crew's story is one of struggle and sacrifice. They were a team of 33 men and women who embarked on a perilous journey across the Caribbean.

The crew's experience was marked by a series of events that would ultimately lead to their tragic fate. The ship, a 790-foot cargo vessel, was carrying a cargo of heavy machinery and vehicles.

As the crew navigated through treacherous waters, they encountered hurricane Joaquin, a Category 4 storm that would prove to be their undoing. The ship's captain, Michael Davidson, had been warned about the storm's potential dangers but chose to press on.

The crew's bravery and dedication in the face of overwhelming adversity is a testament to their character. Despite the odds being against them, they continued to work tirelessly to keep the ship afloat.

The company that owned the El Faro cargo ship, TOTE Maritime, has agreed to a settlement with 10 of the 33 families who lost loved ones in the disaster.

Each of the 10 families will receive $500,000 for pain and suffering, as well as compensation for lost wages and other losses.

TOTE officials have stated that they will continue to support all the families affected by the tragedy.

Court documents show that the settlement includes the captain's family, the five Polish crew members' families, and four other families, including Jacksonville resident Roan Lightfoot's family.

The claims for the remaining 23 crew members are still pending.

The El Faro ship disaster is a heart-wrenching reminder of the risks faced by crew members at sea. The U.S. Coast Guard concluded the boat sank as Hurricane Joaquin churned across the Atlantic.

A crew member wrote an email to her mother just before the ship disappeared, saying the winds were "super bad" and expressing love to everyone. The email was a poignant message from a loved one to their family.

The crew members' families are struggling to come to terms with the loss of their loved ones. The crew is presumed dead, with no survivors found.

The owners of El Faro said the captain had a "sound plan" to avoid Hurricane Joaquin, but the ship's main propulsion failed, stranding the crew in the path of the storm. This failure had devastating consequences.

The search for survivors ended on Wednesday, with the wreckage of the ship located at a depth of about 15,000 feet. This discovery brings closure to the families of the crew members.

The crew members were on their way from Florida to Puerto Rico when the ship disappeared.

The families of 10 El Faro crew members have settled with the shipper, TOTE Maritime, for $500,000 each.

Each family will receive $500,000 for pain and suffering, plus compensation for lost wages and other losses. This settlement was reached through a respectful and equitable mediation process.

The families included in the settlement include the captain's, the five Polish crew members', and four others', including Jacksonville resident Roan Lightfoot's.

TOTE Maritime officials stated that they would not release details of the settlement out of respect for the legal process and the privacy of the families.

Claims for the remaining 23 crew members, many of whom were from Jacksonville, are still pending.

Here are the details of the settlement: