As weather improves, US resumes search for ship lost off Bahamas in Hurricane Joaquin

Family, union and company officials wait outside the Seafarer's International Union hall, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2015, in Jacksonville, Fla., as an intensive search resumed Sunday in the southeastern Bahamas for a U.S. cargo ship with 33 people on board. The ship has not been heard from since it lost power and was taking on water as it was battered in fierce seas churned up by Hurricane Joaquin. (AP Photo/Jason Dearen) (The Associated Press)

Families have gathered at the Seafarers Union Hall Sunday, Oct. 4, 2015, in Jacksonville, Fla., waiting for news on the crew of 33 aboard the missing cargo ship El Faro. The ship has not been heard from since it lost power and was taking on water in seas churned up by Hurricane Joaquin. (Bruce Lipsky/Florida Times-Union via AP) (The Associated Press)

Petty Officer 1st Class Antonio Lockhart, watchstander at Coast Guard 7th District Command Center, updates search information regarding the missing cargo ship El Faro at the Coast Guard 7th District Command Center in Miami, Saturday, Oct. 3, 2015. The ship was heading from Jacksonville, Fla, to San Juan, Puerto Rico when it was battered by waves. (Petty Officer 2nd Class Jon-Paul/U.S. Coast Guard via AP) (The Associated Press)

Aircraft have returned to the southeastern Bahamas to resume the search for a U.S. cargo ship with 33 people on board that caught in Hurricane Joaquin.

U.S. Coast Guard, Navy and Air Force planes and helicopters are looking for the El Faro across a broad expanse of the Atlantic Ocean around Crooked Island. They resumed the effort at first light Sunday.

The Coast Guard found a life ring from the El Faro on Saturday but there has been no other trace of the 790-foot ship.

Authorities last heard from the ship Thursday. The crew reported they had lost power and were taking on water but said the situation was manageable. They lost communication and have not been heard from since. The ship was headed to Puerto Rico.