USNS Apache
From a press release from the National Safety Transportation Board (NTSB):
A search team on board the USNS Apache has found the wreckage of a vessel that they believe to be the cargo ship El Faro, which went missing on Oct. 1 during Hurricane Joaquin. The vessel was located at a depth of about 15,000 feet in the vicinity of the last known position.
Sophisticated sonar equipment towed from Apache first detected what are believed to be images of the vessel using Orion, a side-scanning sonar system, at about 1:36 pm ET on October 31 during the fifth of 13 planned search line surveys.
To confirm the finding, specialists on Apache will use CURV 21, a deep ocean remotely operated vehicle, to survey and confirm the identity of the wreckage. This survey could begin as early as Sunday, November 1.
The target identified by Orion is consistent with a 790-foot cargo ship, which from sonar images appears to be in an upright position and in one piece.
Wreckage of Cargo Ship Believed to be El Faro Located in More Than 15,000 Feet of Water
Thanks to Phil Leon for contributing to this post.
Ok, a ship named Apache.
When I read it on CNN today, they made it sound like an Apache helicopter was lowering the CURV-21 submersible vehicle, highly doubtful.
The CURV-21 remains tied to the ship with tow cable and communication/control cables.
Plus it’s big!
Length – 8 ft
Width – 5 ft 0 in
Height – 7 ft 0 in
Weight – 6,400 lbs
http://www.supsalv.org/00c2_curv21Rov.asp?destPage=00c2