SAIPAN — A U.S. Coast Guard HC-130 Hercules crew conducting a first-light search Saturday morning sighted an overturned vessel approximately 34 nautical miles northeast of Pagan — roughly 100 nautical miles northeast of the last known position of the missing cargo vessel Mariana.
The identity of the overturned vessel has not been confirmed. Joint Rescue Coordination Center Honolulu watchstanders are working to gather more information about what the aircrew sighted.
The Mariana, a 145-foot U.S.-registered dry cargo vessel, lost contact with the Coast Guard on the afternoon of April 16 after reporting a disabled starboard engine. Six people were aboard when contact was lost.
The Coast Guard said U.S. Coast Guard aircrews, a U.S. Navy Boeing P-8A Poseidon crew and a Japan Coast Guard aircrew are slated to fly in support of continued search efforts. A formal press release from Coast Guard Oceania District is expected shortly.
NMI News Service will update this story as more information becomes available.