Shipwreck

How a Captain, Company, and Culture Sank the SS El Faro

De: Maeve McGoran

Narrado por: Maeve McGoran

2015 saw the worst American maritime disaster in decades. The captain of the SS El Faro commanded his crew to sail straight into a hurricane. The ship sank and all 33 crew members died.

The sinking raised troubling questions: Why did the captain choose to sail into the hurricane? Why did no one on board or on shore stop him? And why was such an old and heavily loaded ship even allowed on the water?

The crew of the SS El Faro is gone, but their haunting final hours were preserved by the ship’s black box. In Shipwreck, we hear immersive reenactments from their last voyage and new revelations from investigators, crew members’ families, and mariners who sailed on previous voyages of the El Faro. The narrative investigation reveals how corporate greed, government indifference, and a culture of obedience led to the shocking outcome.

The same forces that sank the El Faro are still at work today—not just in cargo shipping, but across the entire maritime industry, which carries millions of passengers every year.

What happened to the El Faro wasn't just a tragedy. It was a warning we can't afford to ignore.

Produced by Audible and Sugar23
Reported and written by Maeve McGoran
Executive Producers for Sugar23: Mike Mayer and Michael Sugar
Executive Producers for Audible: Anna Stitt and Martha Little
Senior Producers: Liam Billingham and Maeve McGoran
Producer: Joshua Lash
Editors: Caitlin Pierce and Ruxandra Guidi
Sound Design and Mix: Mischa Stanton
Featuring Original Music by Gary Gunn
Fact-Checking: Joseph Frischmuth
Black Box Reenactments Performed by:
Chopper Bernet
Dan Sachoff
David Perez Babich
Erica Beck
Jeff Priskorn
John Eleby
Joshua Lash
Rick Zieff
Directed by: Mike Mayer
Head of Creative Development at Audible: Kate Navin
Chief Content Officer at Audible: Rachel Ghiazza

Special thanks to the Fund for Investigative Journalism for helping fund this reporting.

©2025 Sugar23 Podcast Group, LLC (P)2025 Audible Originals, LLC

Money and Death

This sad tale is a tale of how one of our most revered branches of the service is for sale. How cargo is more important than lives. How the toxic corporate culture creates unsafe environments for workers and the Congresspeople who foster it. Toss the cherry on top, a captain who thinks he’s sailing in a bathtub because he’s sailed in Alaskan waters. That crew never stood a chance in a ship that was poorly modified and whose maintenance was even worse.

A New Force in Maritime Narrative Journalism

One of the most impressive journalistic efforts, period, and truly one of the great maritime stories of all time—including mine. The detail, clarity, analysis and content blend with a sweeping narrative that captures the listeners heart and mind. If you think you know the wreck of the SS El Faro (I did), you don’t. But you will.

Exciting and terrible story!

Heartbreaking, but overall well written and read. only negative aspect is some recordings were tinny

Riveting!

Did not know much about the wreck. Found this to be a great listen, fascinating recount of some brave folks and poor owners.

A story everyone should hear.

We take so many things for granted in our lives, but then a story is brought to the forefront to show how we shouldn’t. Outstandingly written account of this tragedy. A must read.

couldn't stop listening

really well done! The story brings light to the maritime that ultimately cares about the money and not the people at Sea.

Amazing detail and production quality

Fantastic reporting, sound effects, narration. I was totally engrossed and learned so much about maritime operations. Please do more like this.

Impressive research

The entire production had me on the edge of my seat. I’ve heard the story of El Farro. Heartbreaking. And the Coast Guard response is embarrassing to the cause of justice.

Amazing retelling of a tragic loss of life at sea

The author brought the crews words from the black box to life, along with their family members. Provide deep into the greed or safety of the maritime industry. Expect to cry, it’s heartbreaking.

Riveting story

Really got immersed in the story. Actors portraying the last hour on the ship very engaging.