US-Flagged Cargo Ship Goes Missing With Six Crew After Engine Failure Near Saipan

The United States Coast Guard is continuing its search for a missing cargo vessel after losing contact with the U.S.-flagged ship Mariana near Saipan earlier this week.

Search crews on Saturday sighted an overturned vessel approximately 34 nautical miles northeast of Pagan.

The sighting was made by an HC-130 Hercules aircraft from Coast Guard Air Station Barbers Point during an early morning search mission. Authorities are working to confirm whether the vessel is the Mariana.

The incident began on Wednesday when the 145-foot dry cargo vessel reported a disabled starboard engine while operating about 140 nautical miles north-northwest of Saipan.

The vessel, operating on a regular route between Guam, Tinian and Saipan, had six people on board at the time.

Following the distress report, watchstanders at the Joint Rescue Coordination Center Honolulu established hourly communication with the vessel through its manager. No medical issues were reported among the crew at that stage.

Contact with the vessel was lost later the same day, and all subsequent attempts to re-establish communication have failed.

The ship’s AIS signal was last recorded on Wednesday afternoon, placing it in open waters northwest of Saipan.

A Coast Guard HC-130 aircraft launched on Thursday was forced to return to Guam due to strong winds in the search area.

Search operations resumed on Saturday with support from multiple agencies, including a P-8A Poseidon aircraft from the United States Navy and an aircrew from the Japan Coast Guard.

The vessel went missing as Super Typhoon Sinlaku moved through the region. The storm brought strong winds and rough seas across the Northern Mariana Islands, including Saipan and Tinian, causing damage onshore and disrupting response efforts.

Typhoon-force winds extended hundreds of miles from the centre of the storm, along with heavy seas and dangerous swells.

According to the Coast Guard, the Mariana had altered its route before the incident, initially heading north away from the storm’s projected path and later moving in a looping pattern east of the islands before continuing northward.

Search efforts have now expanded, involving multiple agencies. Alongside Coast Guard aircraft, a United States Navy P-8A Poseidon aircraft and a Japan Coast Guard aircrew are supporting ongoing operations.

Weather conditions in the area remain challenging despite the typhoon moving northeast. A small craft advisory is still in effect, with winds around 25 knots and hazardous sea states continuing to impact search efforts.

Authorities have urged mariners in the region to report any sightings or information that could assist in locating the missing vessel or its crew.

Reference: USCG