NTSB Releases Photos, Video Showing El Faro In Final Resting Place

BALTIMORE (WJZ)--Thirty three people were killed in the greatest loss to a U.S. ship in 35 years and for the first time ever, we're getting to see the El Faro wreckage.

Amy Yensi has more on the new video released by the National Transportation Safety Board.

Never before seen video shows the crushed steel stuck in the Atlantic abyss.

In a Sunday night interview, CBS' 60 Minutes gets exclusive access to the naval ship and crew, spearheading the El Faro investigation.

Ahead of the NTSB's move to open the accident docket and release images of the doomed vessel.

"This is the most difficult and complex investigation I've ever worked on," said Tom Roth-Roffy, NTSB's lead investigator.

This past October, the U.S. cargo ship sank as it sailed into Hurricane Joaquin's ruthless path.

The 33 men and women on-board, gone without a trace, including Frank Hamm, who's family in Baltimore held out hope for weeks.

The victim's relatives want answers.

"Why was a ship 40-years-old," said Glen Jackson. "Why was it still being put in service?"

The new survey video shows two of El Farro's top decks sheared off.

The voice data recorder, which would help explain why the captain stayed the course, despite treacherous conditions, is still missing.

The ship's battered condition, shines a light on the crew's horrific final moments, but it's not enough to console those left behind.

"They've got to keep that ship moving to make money. That's the whole horror of this tragedy. That 33 people died so that frozen chickens could be delivered on time in Puerto Rico," said Jackson.

The NTSB says it may take up to a year to answer all the questions surrounding the sinking of the El Faro.

The El Faro ship was owned by Sea Star Line, LLC, and operated by tote services.