Overturned Ship Near Saipan Confirmed as Missing Cargo Vessel Mariana With 6 Missing
U.S. Coast Guard continues search after cargo ship suffered engine failure during massive typhoon
Quick Look
- The cargo ship Mariana, a 145-foot U.S.-registered dry cargo vessel, suffered engine failure during a massive typhoon approaching Saipan and nearby islands.
- After the crew reported losing their starboard engine and requested assistance, the Coast Guard established a communication schedule but lost contact Thursday.
- An overturned vessel was spotted Saturday and confirmed as the Mariana on Sunday.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
The Mariana was a 145-foot dry cargo vessel registered in the U.S. Saipan is the largest island of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, a U.S. territory in the western Pacific Ocean.
HAGATNA, Guam -- An overturned ship found near the U.S. territory of Saipan after a typhoon hit is the vessel that went missing with six people on board, the U.S. Coast Guard confirmed Monday. The Coast Guard said it was still searching for the six. It said the overturned boat was first spotted Saturday. An HC-130 Hercules airplane crew with the U.S. Air Force 31st Rescue Squadron confirmed the identity of the vessel as the cargo ship Mariana on Sunday night, the Coast Guard said in a news release. The Mariana, a 145-foot (44-meter) dry cargo vessel registered in the U.S., suffered engine failure Wednesday as a massive typhoon bore down on Saipan and nearby islands with fierce winds and relentless rain. After the crew reported that the boat had lost its starboard engine and needed assistance, the Coast Guard set up a one-hour communication schedule with the vessel. But contact was lost Thursday. A HC-130 plane launched that morning to conduct a search, but it returned to Guam due to heavy winds.
Open Questions
- What caused the ship to overturn?
- Were any survivors found?
- What was the exact condition of the vessel when found?
- Were the six crew members able to evacuate before the ship overturned?
