Two With Massachusetts Ties on Cargo Ship Lost in Hurricane

The search continues for the missing cargo ship El Faro, which was lost at sea during Hurricane Joaquin.

The U.S. Coast Guard will hold a press briefing to provide updated information on the search for the El Faro at Coast Guard Air Station Miami, at 10 a.m. Monday, in Florida.

Those aboard the missing vessel included Keith Griffin, a Massachusetts native from Winthrop whose family now lives in Florida, according to NECN, along with Jeff Mathias, who was at the school in 1996.

Francis McDonald, President of Massachusetts Maritime Academy shared these words earlier today:

“We remain hopeful that Keith Griffin MMA 2005, Jeff Mathias MMA 1996 and the entire crew of the El Faro will be found safe. In the meantime, our thoughts and prayers go out to Keith’s family, Jeff’s family and to the families of all the mariners on board.

“During this difficult time, we want them to know that Massachusetts Maritime Academy and the entire maritime community stands by them while the search continues.”

An intensive search resumed Sunday in the southeastern Bahamas for a U.S. cargo ship with 33 people on board that has not been heard from since it lost power and was taking on water as it was battered in fierce seas churned up by Hurricane Joaquin, according to CBSNEWS>

HC130 aircrews headed back to the scene in search for the El Faro crew early Monday. More than 70,000 square miles searched thus far, according to the Coast Guard.