The voyage data recorder (VDR) from the sunken wreck of the El Faro has been located.

The US’ National Transport Safety Board (NTSB) said the VDR had been located early on Tuesday morning in 15,000 feet of water, about 36 nm northeast of Acklins and Crooked Islands, Bahamas.

Now the VDR, which records both sounds and conversations from the bridge has been located, the next will be work out how it can be retrieved.

“Finding an object about the size of a basketball almost three miles under the surface of the sea is a remarkable achievement,” said NTSB chairman Christopher Hart.

“It would not have been possible without the information gained during the first survey of the wreckage and the equipment and support provided by Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, the National Science Foundation, the US Coast Guard, the US Navy, the University of Rhode Island, and the many other partners involved in this effort.”

The El Faro sank on 1 October 2015 off the Bahamas with 33 crew onboard, during Hurricane Joaquin. Only one body was recovered by rescuers.