An overturned ship found near the U.S. territory of Saipan has been confirmed as the missing 145-foot dry cargo vessel Mariana, which lost contact with authorities during Typhoon Sinlaku. The U.S. Coast Guard announced Monday that the vessel, registered in the U.S., was identified by an HC-130 Hercules airplane crew from the 31st Rescue Squadron. The six crew members remain missing, and rescue teams are continuing their search.
Search Efforts and Findings
The overturned boat was first spotted Saturday, with debris including a partially submerged life raft found 95 nautical miles northeast of the vessel. The Coast Guard has deployed pararescuemen, divers, and boats to the area, covering over 75,000 square nautical miles in collaboration with agencies from Guam, Japan, and New Zealand. If divers locate a viable access point, an underwater remotely operated drone may be used to investigate further.
Background on the Disaster
The Mariana suffered engine failure Wednesday as Typhoon Sinlaku approached Saipan with fierce winds and relentless rain. The crew reported losing their starboard engine and requested assistance, but contact was lost Thursday. An initial search by an HC-130 plane was aborted due to heavy winds. The last known position of the vessel was 140 miles north-northwest of Saipan, approximately 3,800 miles west of Hawaii.
Typhoon Sinlaku's Impact
Typhoon Sinlaku, the strongest tropical cyclone this year, struck the Northern Mariana Islands with sustained winds of up to 150 mph, equivalent to a strong Category 4 storm. The storm's maximum wind speeds have since dropped to 125 mph as it tracks north. The typhoon caused extensive damage to the islands of Tinian and Saipan before moving away.