US Coast Guard spots overturned vessel near Saipan during search for missing ship : NPR
A US Coast Guard HC-130 Hercules airplane crew assigned to Coast Guard Air Station Barbers Point flies over an overturned vessel offshore Saipan, Saturday, April 18, 2026, whereas looking out for a missing vessel, the Mariana, that skilled an engine failure April 15.
AP/US Coast Guard/Air Station Bar
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AP/US Coast Guard/Air Station Bar
HAGATNA, Guam — An airplane search crew noticed an overturned ship matching the outline of a cargo vessel that went missing with six individuals on board near the US territory of Saipan, though authorities weren’t capable of verify whether or not it was the one which was misplaced, the Coast Guard mentioned Saturday.
The HC-130 Hercules crew noticed the vessel early within the day about 100 nautical miles (185 kilometers) northeast of the Mariana’s final recognized place, the Coast Guard mentioned. It was 34 nautical miles (63 kilometers) northeast of Pagan, a small island north of Saipan within the western Pacific Ocean.
The company mentioned in a press release that it confirmed the overturned ship matched the outline of the Mariana, a 145-foot (44-meter) dry cargo vessel registered within the US
The Mariana suffered engine failure Wednesday as a massive typhoon bore down on Saipan and close by islands with fierce winds and relentless rain. After the crew reported that the boat had misplaced its starboard engine and wanted help, the Coast Guard arrange a one-hour communication schedule with the vessel.
But contact was misplaced Thursday. A HC-130 airplane launched that morning to conduct a search, however it returned to Guam because of heavy winds.
The Mariana’s final recognized place was about 140 miles (225 kilometers) north-northwest of Saipan, which is about 3,800 miles (6,115 kilometers) west of Hawaii.
Coast Guard officers in Honolulu have been gathering info on the capsized ship, the company mentioned in a press release.
The guard didn’t know the nationalities of the Mariana’s missing crew members.
A US Navy Boeing P-8A Poseidon crew; a Coast Guard cutter; and a Japanese coast guard aircrew and vessel geared up with a specialised dive group have been to participate within the search.
Typhoon Sinlaku triggered floods, tore off roofs and overturned automobiles on Saipan. Officials mentioned the storm’s massive dimension meant that the island lasted roughly 48 hours of fierce winds, which delayed responders’ skill to evaluate injury and assist communities.
