More lawsuits filed by family of El Faro crewmembers

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) – More lawsuits have been filed by the families of sailors aboard the cargo ship that sank after getting caught in Hurricane Joaquin.

Attorney Kurt Arnold filed a lawsuit Tuesday on behalf of the son of Howard John Schoenly, who was among the 33 sailors who went down with the El Faro when it sank Oct. 1.

On Monday, attorneys for five Polish crewmembers also filed suit.

Both suits say the ship’s owner, Tote Marine, was negligent in allowing the aged vessel to go to sea with a hurricane approaching.

Tote has declined to comment on individual lawsuits, but has filed a suit claiming limited liability. Tote says the El Faro was seaworthy and properly equipped for its voyage from Jacksonville to San Juan, Puerto Rico.

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