JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Jacksonville City Council voted unanimously Tuesday night to pass a resolution keeping the memory of the crew of the El Faro alive by changing the name of Dames Point Park to El Faro Memorial at Dames Point Park.
Saturday will mark one year since the cargo ship sank near the Bahamas en route to Puerto Rico during Hurricane Joaquin, killing all 33 crew members on board.
The 9.1-acre park, which sits under the Dames Point Bridge on the north bank of the St. Johns River, is undergoing major renovations, which includes new street lights, improvements and a statue dedicated to the people who died in the maritime tragedy.
The area was chosen because that's where El Faro left on its final voyage.
City Councilman Al Ferraro, who sponsored the bill, said there will be no cost to the taxpayers.
Barry Young, whose great-nephew was aboard El Faro, said the gesture means a lot to him.
“Even as this anniversary approaches, my family, we are reflecting on it. It’s painful. It’s still painful. The wounds are still there. To see the city do this, it warms my heart to know they’re willing to do that,” Young said.
The father of Shawn Rivera, who was the chief cook on the ship, attended Tuesday's City Council meeting. He said he appreciates that the city of Jacksonville cares.
"It's really heartwarming and we're really thankful for the recognition that we're giving the 33 men and the families that are missing their loved ones," said Pastor Robert L. Green, the father of Rivera. "It's been a very tough year, but we've made it through. We've been held up through the mighty hand of God. And though some of the lack of closure and still some of the investigations are going on, we still stand together as families."
Green also showed his appreciation for the City Council by giving out to each member rubber bracelets reading, "El Faro 33 Not Forgotten."
The monument and park renovations will be unveiled Saturday at a private ceremony for the families impacted by the El Faro tragedy.
The park opened in June 1989 and received a major renovation in 1992-93.
In 2001, the Jacksonville Port Authority, whose land surrounds the park, built a new two-lane road linking the site with Dames Point Drive, thus ensuring permanent access to the park.
