Trevor Collins

Okay, so at this point, Captain Cooper sees them go over the shallows.

It's a bit concerning.

Again, this plays into some of the theories.

But now, around 3.30 p.m.

that afternoon, Captain McSorley made contact back with the Anderson.

He radios Captain Cooper stating, quote, Anderson, this is the Fitzgerald.

I have a fence railed down, two vents lost or damaged, and a list.

I'm checking down.

Will you stay by me till I get to Whitefish?

End quote.

So he's saying he's taken some damage and his ship is listing, leaning to a side.

This might indicate that maybe the ship has taken on water, that the cargo has moved in a way to kind of upset the balance when it's stored in lockdown.

So a few raising orange flags here.

He's basically saying, I'm going to slow down, but stay with us.

until we get to safer waters.

Now, at this point, Captain McSorley does indeed slow down the Fitzgerald to then allow the Anderson to catch up, close that 17 mile gap a bit, and the pair continue sailing together.

No alarms are reported or made by Captain McSorley as he only radioed to clarify navigation.

So right now it feels like everything is OK.

Then the storms continue to worsen.

Captain Cooper reported winds measuring between 58 and 70 knots, now recording waves between 18 and 25 feet tall.