JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – People rode Saturday to honor the lost crew members of the El Faro and their families.
The tribute ride, which was open to the public, started at the Seafarers International Union Hall on Belfort Road and stopped at Blount Island, where the cargo ship last docked before being lost in Hurricane Joaquin.
"It really is something the thunder of their bikers is coupled with the thunder we feel inside, each one of these bikers feels the same way," Marian Martin, retired merchant seaman said.
Hundreds of bikers each donated at least $10, and that money is going to a fund for the victim's families.
"Once people see how much you care it really does lift their spirit particularly now coming into the holiday season it's going to be especially painful," Martin said.
The Jacksonville-based El Faro disappeared Oct. 1 while making its weekly cargo run to San Juan, Puerto Rico. The Coast Guard believes the ship became disabled and sank northeast of Crooked Island in the Bahamas.
The ship's 28 American crew members and five Polish nationals are presumed dead, leaving behind hurting families.
"We've got to surround them with constant positivity with love support kind words good wishes great acts," one rider said.
Some of the riders were strangers to the crew on the El Faro, others were riding in memory of something they did know.
The waters there are about 15,000 feet deep. The National Transportation Safety Board announced Saturday that a fourth sonar search for the El Faro did not come up with anything.