JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) — A cargo ship captain who worked for the company that owned the freighter El Faro, which sank last year in a hurricane, said he was asked to resign or be fired after reporting safety concerns about his ship.
He said he got fired.
Capt. Jack Hearn, who sailed for Tote Services Inc., testified Tuesday before a U.S. Coast Guard panel investigating the El Faro’s sinking last October. All 33 aboard died.
Hearn said after he raised concerns about holes in his ship, the El Morro, Tote reluctantly reported them to the Coast Guard. He said he took a trip without the needed repairs.
Hearn said a Tote official came onboard weeks later and asked him to resign or be fired.
Tote’s attorneys at the hearing did not address Hearn’s testimony.
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