[Aktungbby]

Originally Posted by Aktungbby

Between 90 seconds and fifteen minutes in supremely heavy 30' seas with 100+ mph ferocious wind and no power I don't see how any one got off in a swift capsize event particular to this type of vessel. Clambering into a survival suit or a lifeboat takes time.....http://www.oldsaltblog.com/2015/10/el-faro-a-roro-not-a-container-ship-and-why-that-mattered/

Originally Posted by iambecomelife

Yes; I once got a good look at a RO-RO ship in my local port that had its doors open. I was amazed at how much open space was below decks. I also thought of what a serious problem it would be if it suffered any flooding, unlike other types of ships with more watertight compartments.

Given that at least one person managed to put on a survival suit, I'd imagine the crew of "El Faro" knew for a few minutes that she was about to go down. OTOH she could have floated for a long time disabled before sinking, like the "Munchen" in 1978. We may never know.

Apologies: My point is illustrated by the pictures also per the wiki site: two suits are required: one at the berth/bunk and at the work station. http://www.setsail.com/survival-training-part-5-immersion-suits/ Pics in this link show a tedious process; and I've climbed into similar 'dry' scuba suits myself ...very slow methodical process. Under two minutes is good. Now add the waves, apprehension and the wind and just clearing a rotating 700 ft vessel (capsizing) into the equation.