Search Underway for Missing Crew of Cargo Ship Mariana

The U.S. Coast Guard shared an update on Sunday regarding its efforts to locate the crew of the cargo ship Mariana, which had gone missing.

On Saturday evening, a crew from the Coast Guard Air Station Barbers Point spotted wreckage, including a partially inflated life raft, around 95 nautical miles northeast of where the vessel capsized. This area is about 26 nautical miles from the Mariana’s last known position, roughly 34 miles northeast of Pagan.

Aircraft and personnel from the U.S. Air Force’s 31st Rescue Squadron confirmed that the wreckage belonged to the Mariana by Sunday evening. As of early Monday, search operations continued near the Northern Mariana Islands.

A report had come in on Wednesday morning from the ship’s management, indicating that the starboard engine had failed while six people were aboard the vessel, which was near Saipan at the time. Communication was established, but it was later lost.

The initial search for the Mariana began on Thursday, and by Friday afternoon, an aircrew found the capsized ship that matched its description.

“Divers are currently conducting a thorough underwater assessment of the Mariana’s exterior. If they find a suitable access point, they may use underwater drones for further investigation,” the Coast Guard stated after verifying the ship’s identity.

The Coast Guard is collaborating with agencies from Guam, Japan, and New Zealand to continue the search for the 145-foot dry cargo ship. However, initial search efforts had to be suspended due to strong winds caused by Typhoon Shinraku, leading teams to return to Guam.

This area is situated around 3,800 miles west of Hawaii.