JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Saturday people rode to honor the lost crew members of the EL Faro and their families.
The tribute ride was open to the public. It started at the Seafarers International Union Hall on Belfort Road and ended in Blount Island, where the El faro was last docked in port.
"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.
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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 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 ship's last known location is northeast of Crooked Island in the Bahamas.
The waters there are about 15,000 feet deep.
The National Transportation Safety Board announced Friday the third sonar search for the El Faro did not come up with anything.
This was the third of 13 sonar side scans that will be conducted in the search for the sunken cargo ship.
The previous two searches also came up with nothing.