Day two of a series of public hearings where federal investigators are trying to gather details about the deadly fire that broke out last summer on a cargo ship carrying thousands of vehicles in Port Newark, killing two Newark firefighters as they battled the blaze.

Today, a top officer of the Italian ship grounded custody of Ariel sobbed through questioning and testimony as he recalled the fatal events of that day and his crew's initial attempts to put out the flames.

Ted Goldberg has the story.

They stopped by the safe, citing operation to start the rescue operation.

The chief fire fighters report to me that two firefighters missing.

Chief mate Benito LaFauci, fought through emotions as he remembered last year's deadly fire at Port Newark.

So are they now.

My firm is adding very heavy black smoke, so we have a problem to brief because also me, I was without the fire protection.

The second in command aboard the Grand Costa Navarro explained how he tried to stop the fire from spreading.

We start to discharge the fire, the first five extinguisher, and I discharge it and the time the flame was going down.

But when I retreat to take another fire extinguisher on where things are, not the slightest thing, we shut the flame.

Growing up again.

LaFauci's words came after the general manager of Ports America explained the protocol behind dockside workers using old cars to push cargo aboard, which testimony yesterday confirmed was the cause of the fire Last year testified that the fire was started from a pusher Jeep.

Jorge Tabadoa testified that he tried to warn the shipping company Grimaldi, about these faulty pusher cards.

We're having a concern on putting drivers on units that they're not in running condition.

We don't know what kind of condition those those units are.

So we were trying to switch from push in to towing and using tow trucks instead of using vehicles to push other vehicles go ahead, which they didn't like very much because the production drops.

Tabadoa was also asked about what happens to pushers that need a break.

If a unit is out of service.

Is there any particular place that you would expect to see that unit sitting?

I believe I answered that before.

It was by the mechanic's area.

Okay.

And have you ever heard the phrase put it on the side or put on the side?

Yes.

Or as it relates to pusher vehicles?

No.

Last year testified yesterday that the pusher Jeep in question was seen off to the side earlier in the day.

Lawyers also asked about the relationship between Ports America and American Maritime Services, or AMS, which multiple witnesses say are responsible for maintenance and repairs for portside pusher vehicles.

Mechanics at AMS.

Do you know their qualifications?

No, I don't.

Do you know if they are auto mechanics?

I don't.

You have no idea.

No idea.

Is there a contract that sets out what the duties and responsibilities are for AMS?

What duties?

Responsibilities are for Ports America With respect to the repair of PUSHER vehicles?

No, there are no.

Is there a safety policy in place at Ports America concerning the pusher vehicles?

No.

The debate over the safety of these pusher jeeps will continue tomorrow when we'll hear from a representative from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms.

With three more hearings scheduled for next week.

In Union.

I'm Ted Goldberg.

NJ Spotlight News.