JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- While dealing with the loss of her older brother, Leigh Miller also finds herself defending the man she says was indestructible.
There's been much speculation about why Captain Michael Davidson took the route that led the El Faro to sink in the face of Category Four Hurricane Joaquin.
According to the U.S. Coast Guard, 32 other crew members were on board. After a week of searching, no survivors were found.
Miller said her brother was highly skilled and had earned a Master Mariner license in 1997. Then he achieved the highest designation.
"A Masters license, is actually a different level, a higher level if you will, where you are able to captain and Master larger ships, and in 2006, he was granted his unlimited Masters license, where he was able to master any ship of any gross tonnage on the ocean," Miller said.
The owner of the El Faro, TOTE Maritime, said the ship's captain decides on its route, leaving some pointing the finger at Davidson. But, TOTE officials have noted, the company could have vetoed his decisions.
"When you don't understand things, it's much harder. They don't know my brother, they don't know what kind of person he was, so it's hard for them, I can understand it's hard for them to have confidence in him," said Miller.
Miller said her confidence in her older brother never waned. According to Miller, Davidson sailed the seas for more than 30 years, getting his first captain's license in 1987.
In her eyes, he was a superhero.
"Ever since I was little, I always idolized him and loved him. Not just because he's my older brother, because he's one of the strongest men that I know," said Miller.
Miller said she hopes the investigation reveals the truth and what ever it is, they'll deal with it.
Davidson leaves behind two daughters.
