The US Coast Guard has confirmed that an overturned cargo ship discovered near the US territory of Saipan is the missing vessel that went down with six crew members after a recent typhoon. The search for the six individuals continues.
The capsized boat was first sighted on Saturday, with debris including a partially submerged and inflated life raft found 95 nautical miles northeast of the vessel. An HC-130 Hercules aircraft crew from the US Air Force's 31st Rescue Squadron positively identified the ship as the cargo vessel Mariana on Sunday night. Rescuers, divers, and boats have since been deployed to the scene.
Authorities stated that if divers can locate a suitable access point, an underwater remotely operated drone may be used to further investigate the ship. Coast Guard air crews continue to search the area near the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, with the guard and partnering agencies from Guam, Japan, and New Zealand covering over 75,000 square nautical miles.
The Mariana, a 145-foot dry cargo vessel registered in the US, suffered engine failure on Wednesday as Typhoon Sinlaku bore down on Saipan with fierce winds and relentless rain. After the crew reported the loss of the starboard engine, the Coast Guard established a one-hour communication schedule, but contact was lost on Thursday. An HC-130 plane launched that morning returned to Guam due to heavy winds.
The storm, Typhoon Sinlaku, triggered floods, tore off roofs, and overturned cars on Saipan. Officials noted that the storm's large size subjected the island to roughly 48 hours of fierce winds, delaying responders' ability to assess damage and assist communities.
