HAGATNA, Guam — A significant search operation is currently underway for the missing cargo vessel Mariana, which lost contact during a severe storm near Saipan. The U.S. Coast Guard has reported that an airplane crew spotted an overturned vessel in the vicinity but has yet to confirm whether it is indeed the Mariana.
### Overturned Vessel Detected
On Saturday, April 18, 2026, an HC-130 Hercules crew detected a capsized ship approximately 100 nautical miles (185 kilometers) northeast of the Mariana’s last known position. This location is about 34 nautical miles (63 kilometers) from Pagan, a small island situated north of Saipan. Despite confirming that the overturned ship matched the description of the Mariana, authorities are still working to ascertain the vessel’s identity.
### Circumstances Surrounding the Incident
The Mariana, measuring 145 feet (44 meters), is registered in the U.S. and experienced engine failure on April 15 while a substantial typhoon, named Sinlaku, approached the region. The crew communicated to the Coast Guard that they had lost their starboard engine and required assistance. A communication schedule was established, with the intention of checking in hourly. However, contact was lost the following day, prompting the Coast Guard to initiate a search mission.
A HC-130 aircraft was dispatched on April 16 to search for the Mariana, but it was forced to return to Guam due to hazardous weather conditions linked to Typhoon Sinlaku.
### Search and Rescue Operations
The search for the Mariana has now expanded to include multiple agencies. In addition to the Coast Guard’s HC-130, a U.S. Navy Boeing P-8A Poseidon aircraft is also participating in the search efforts. Coast Guard cutters and a Japanese coast guard crew equipped with a specialized dive team are working in tandem to locate the missing vessel and its crew.
Coast Guard officials in Honolulu are actively gathering further information regarding the capsized ship, although the nationalities of the six missing crew members are currently unknown.
### Impact of Typhoon Sinlaku
Typhoon Sinlaku has had a devastating impact on Saipan and the surrounding areas, causing significant flooding, uprooting trees, and damaging property. Reports indicate that the storm’s large size resulted in approximately 48 hours of violent winds, which impeded initial responders’ ability to conduct damage assessments and provide aid to affected communities. The storm’s ferocity has made rescue efforts more challenging, emphasizing the urgency of locating the missing crew members amid a backdrop of challenging weather conditions.
Authorities and local officials continue to focus on assessing the damage and responding to the needs of the impacted populations. Local resources are stretched as emergency crews and volunteers work to support recovery operations.
In summary, as search efforts continue for the Mariana amidst formidable weather challenges, the focus remains on the safety and well-being of those aboard the vessel and the broader community affected by Typhoon Sinlaku.
Source: Original Reporting
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