Tote Maritime, the owner of the American El Faro cargo vessel that sank off Crooked Island during the passage of Hurricane Joaquin earlier this month, has confirmed that items washing up on the shores of Great Exuma and San Salvador are from the ship.

"Tote Services has verified that the material that is reaching various Bahama island beaches is from the El Faro and the company is now working with response professionals and will coordinate with all local authorities to develop a suitable response plan," the company said in a statement yesterday.

Residents in Exuma took pictures of fresh debris that had washed ashore yesterday. The items included body wash, life jackets and other toiletries. On Tuesday, San Salvador Island Administrator Theophilus Cox and Exuma Island Administrator Neil Campbell said several items, believed to be from the El Faro, had been washing ashore on the islands in recent days. Campbell said part of a container washed ashore on that island as well.

The El Faro, a 735-foot cargo vessel, is believed to have sunk off Crooked Island after it was caught in the eye of Hurricane Joaquin earlier this month. The El Faro departed Jacksonville, Florida, on September 29 en route to San Juan, Puerto Rico, with 33 people on board. There were reportedly 28 Americans and 5 Polish crewmembers on board the vessel. The U.S. Coast Guard officially called off its search for the vessel on October 7. Officials discovered what was presumed to be the body of one of the crew members on October 5.

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