SAIPAN — A multinational search involving the United States, Japan and New Zealand continued Sunday for five missing crew members of the cargo vessel Mariana, with aerial teams conducting overflights of ten islands in the Northern Marianas chain after more than 85 hours of operations covering over 127,900 square nautical miles — an area roughly the size of California.
The U.S. Coast Guard said aircrews and the crew of fast response cutter USCGC Oliver Henry searched in the vicinity of the Northern Marianas, with partner aircraft and vessels conducting overflights of Farallon de Pajaros, Agrihan, Pagan, Alamagan, Guguan, the Maug Islands, Asuncion, Sarigan, Anatahan and Zealandia Bank. Crews are also searching for an orange 12-person life raft associated with the vessel.
The search involves Joint Rescue Coordination Center Honolulu, USCGC Oliver Henry and USCGC Frederick Hatch from Coast Guard Forces Micronesia/Sector Guam, a U.S. Coast Guard HC-130 from Air Station Barbers Point in Hawaii, a U.S. Air Force HC-130 from the 31st Rescue Squadron at Kadena Air Base in Okinawa, a U.S. Air Force C-17 from the 36th Airlift Squadron at Yokota Air Base in Tokyo, a U.S. Navy P-8A Poseidon from Patrol Squadron 26 operating under Commander Task Force 72, a Japan Coast Guard Gulfstream V jet, and the Japan Coast Guard patrol vessel Akitsushima and a Royal New Zealand Air Force P-8A Poseidon from RNZAF Base Ohakea.
One person has been recovered and is in the custody of the Commonwealth Healthcare Corporation, with identification pending medical examiner review.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Coast Guard on VHF-FM Channel 16 or call the Joint Rescue Coordination Center Honolulu at 1-800-331-6176.
