Coast Guard officials Monday morning said the El Faro – a container ship with 33 crew members aboard, one of whom lives in Windham – had sunk in the Bahamas.

Michael Davidson, 54, of Windham, was the captain of the El Faro and one of four crew members from Maine.

While the ship is believed to have been lost, the Coast Guard hasn’t given up searching for surviving crew members. Rep. Bruce Poliquin, R-2nd District, released the following statement regarding the ongoing search:

“My thoughts and prayers are with the crew members of El Faro, their families, friends and local communities, especially in Wilton, Windham, and Rockland,” Poliquin said.

“While it’s devastating to learn El Faro has sunk, we must continue to hold onto hope and pray that survivors will be located and reunited with their loved ones. In English, El Faro means ‘The Lighthouse’ and it is my hope that our lighthouses will help guide our Mainers, and the crew, home,” he said.

Rep. Chellie Pingree, D-1st District, issued the following statement: “The news that the El Faro has likely sunk is sad but I’m glad the Coast Guard hasn’t given up the search for survivors. Almost everyone in Maine knows someone who works on the water and knows the risks that involves.

“Our thoughts are with the brave men and women who go to sea and the Coast Guard and military personnel who have risked their own lives to conduct the search. We have been getting regular briefings from the Coast Guard and will continue to follow this situation closely.”

According to media reports, the ship last made contact Thursday, during the height of Hurricane Joaquin, as it passed the Crooked Islands in the Bahamas. On Sunday, the Coast Guard said searchers had spotted floating debris, including life jackets, cargo containers, a life ring bearing the ship’s name and an oil slick northeast of Crooked Islands. One body has also been recovered, according to reports.

This story will be updated.