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Testimony: El Faro sent old storm track info before sinking

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The freighter El Faro received a subscription weather service report that contained outdated tracking information the day before it sank during a hurricane.

Officials for Applied Weather Technology Inc. testified Wednesday before the U.S. Coast Guard Marine Board of Investigation panel looking into the El Faro’s Oct. 1 sinking.

The cargo ship sank while sailing from Jacksonville to Puerto Rico after losing propulsion during Hurricane Joaquin. All 33 aboard died.

Richard Brown, vice-president of operations for the weather company, says Capt. Michael Davidson was receiving Joaquin’s tracking data that was 10 hours old.

A National Hurricane Center official said Tuesday its initial Joaquin forecasts — used by the company — also contained significant errors.

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