U.S. Coast Guard Spots Overturned Ship in Search for Missing Cargo Vessel Near Saipan
A U.S. Coast Guard HC-130 Hercules airplane crew has located an overturned ship during a search operation for a missing cargo vessel near the U.S. territory of Saipan, authorities reported on Saturday. The discovery occurred approximately 100 nautical miles northeast of the Mariana's last known position, but officials have not yet confirmed if it is the same vessel that disappeared with six people on board.
Details of the Search and Discovery
The HC-130 Hercules crew, assigned to Coast Guard Air Station Barbers Point, spotted the overturned vessel early Saturday morning about 34 nautical miles northeast of Pagan, a small island north of Saipan in the western Pacific Ocean. In a statement, the Coast Guard indicated that the ship matches the description of the Mariana, a 145-foot dry cargo vessel registered in the United States.
The Mariana experienced engine failure on Wednesday as Typhoon Sinlaku approached Saipan and nearby islands, bringing fierce winds and relentless rain. After the crew reported losing its starboard engine and requested assistance, the Coast Guard established a one-hour communication schedule with the vessel. However, contact was lost on Thursday, prompting the launch of an HC-130 plane for a search mission, which had to return to Guam due to heavy winds.
Ongoing Search Efforts and Challenges
The last known position of the Mariana was about 140 miles north-northwest of Saipan, which is roughly 3,800 miles west of Hawaii. Coast Guard officials in Honolulu are currently gathering information on the capsized ship, but they have not disclosed the nationalities of the missing crew members.
A multinational search team is involved in the operation, including a U.S. Navy Boeing P-8A Poseidon crew, a Coast Guard cutter, and a Japanese coast guard aircrew and vessel equipped with a specialized dive team. These efforts are complicated by the aftermath of Typhoon Sinlaku, which caused significant damage on Saipan, including floods, roof damage, and overturned cars.
Impact of Typhoon Sinlaku
Typhoon Sinlaku's large size meant that Saipan endured approximately 48 hours of fierce winds, delaying responders' ability to assess damage and assist communities. This severe weather has hampered search and rescue operations, making it difficult for authorities to quickly confirm the identity of the overturned vessel and locate any survivors.
As the search continues, the Coast Guard remains focused on determining whether the spotted ship is indeed the Mariana and on finding the six missing individuals. The situation highlights the dangers faced by maritime crews during extreme weather events in the Pacific region.
