Coast Guard hearings underway to investigate sinking of HMS Bounty

Portsmouth, Va. – Coast Guard hearings are underway in Portsmouth to investigate the sinking of the HMS Bounty. That ship sank off the coast of Hatteras, North Carolina during Hurricane Sandy.

NewsChannel 3 investigator Mike Mather is inside the hearing and reports the Bounty first mate said the Bounty’s captain thought staying to the east of Sandy – and heading for Hatteras – was the safest way to weather the hurricane.

Crew members also report the Bounty’s captain fell in rough seas, and hurt his back, limiting his mobility.

The hearing is expected to last two days.

NewsChannel 3′s Mike Mather is reporting live, view his Tweets below:

#Bounty director says company-authorized FB posts were being made by a non-employee in Illinois. Posts targeted critics of risky voyage.—
Mike Mather (@mikemather) February 13, 2013

Email from #Bounty Capt. Robin Walbridge while at sea: "I have to guess, along with the weathermen, where (Sandy) is going."—
Mike Mather (@mikemather) February 13, 2013

#Bounty Facebook posts, some defiant of critics, will be an issue in this hearing. Shore director says no one on the ship could post to FB.—
Mike Mather (@mikemather) February 13, 2013

Normally, #Bounty bilge pumps had to be run every two hours or so. Underway heading to Sandy, pumps were running continuously.—
Mike Mather (@mikemather) February 12, 2013

#Bounty first mate tells @USCG panel the captain thought tracking to Cape Hatteras was best path past Sandy. Wanted to stay east of storm.—
Mike Mather (@mikemather) February 12, 2013

On 10/27, #Bounty captain changed course to cut in front of Hurricane Sandy.—
Mike Mather (@mikemather) February 12, 2013

#Bounty mate twice suggested abandoning ship, but captain rebuffed him. Captain agreed just as the ship rolled, tossing most of crew in sea.—
Mike Mather (@mikemather) February 12, 2013