Vigil held for East Rockaway native who was on ill-fated cargo ship El Faro

EAST ROCKAWAY (WABC) -- A vigil was held Wednesday for an East Rockaway native who was on the El Faro, the cargo ship that sank off the Bahamas with 33 people aboard.

He grew up around the water and devoted his life to the sea, Thursday night friends and family of Howie Schoenly gathered at a canal side gazebo in his hometown to pay tribute to a man they'll never forget.

"I don't think it's really hit us so much yet, it was a really tough week, insane thing that happened, I don't know if we'll ever be able to process it," said Emily Humes, the victim's niece.

"That's the only thing I feel in my heart. He was in the sea. What he enjoyed most. That's the only comfort what else can you say?" said Jim Skow, a friend.

Schoenly was the second engineer aboard the El Faro, the 790 foot shipping vessel that lost its engines near the Bahamas as Hurricane Joaquin churned by.

Officials believe all 33 mariners aboard went down with the ship.

After more than a week, the Coast Guard called off the search for the wreckage.

Thursday night, the NTSB requested help from the US Navy to take over the hunt.

The goals, not just to find and raise the ship, and the remains of the crew, but also to locate the vessel's voyage data recorder.

Investigators already believe the ship was drifting, listing 15 degrees, during the worst of the storm.

But the so-called black box could help explain why the engines quit.

Back in East Rockaway, they lit candles and remembered the good times.

They remembered Howie Schoenly' s smile and his laugh.

He was a husband, father, and friend who would have been 51 Thursday.

"He was a great guy, and I miss him. And my heart goes out to his family," Skow said.