Coast Guard Finds Overturned Ship Near Saipan Amid Typhoon Aftermath

Overturned Ship Spotted Near Saipan Amid Search for Missing Vessel

An intense search operation is underway near Saipan as an overturned ship, resembling the missing cargo vessel Mariana, was spotted by a U.S. Coast Guard airplane. The vessel went missing with six individuals on board during adverse weather conditions, raising concerns for their safety.

The HC-130 Hercules aircraft identified the vessel approximately 100 nautical miles northeast of the Mariana’s last reported location. It was positioned 34 nautical miles northeast of Pagan, a remote island in the Pacific Ocean’s western expanse.

The Coast Guard released a statement confirming that the discovered ship matches the description of the 145-foot (44-meter) dry cargo vessel, Mariana, which is registered in the United States.

The situation worsened for the Mariana after it experienced engine failure last Wednesday amid the onslaught of Typhoon Sinlaku. Crew members reported the loss of the starboard engine and requested assistance, prompting the Coast Guard to establish an hourly communication schedule. Unfortunately, contact was lost the following day.

Efforts to locate the ship and its crew have been challenging due to severe weather conditions. On Thursday, a search flight had to return to Guam because of turbulent winds. The Mariana was last located about 140 miles north-northwest of Saipan, an island roughly 3,800 miles from Hawaii.

Meanwhile, the Coast Guard in Honolulu is actively collecting details about the capsized vessel, but the nationalities of the missing crew members remain unknown.

The search operation involves multiple entities, including a U.S. Navy Boeing P-8A Poseidon, a Coast Guard cutter, and a Japanese coast guard team with specialized diving capabilities.

Typhoon Sinlaku has caused significant disruption on Saipan, resulting in floods and structural damage. The storm’s extensive reach led to approximately 48 hours of intense winds, hampering relief efforts and damage assessments on the island.