Missing Cargo Ship Mariana Found Overturned Near Saipan; Search for Crew Continues

The U.S. Coast Guard has identified an overturned vessel found near Saipan as the missing cargo ship Mariana. The search for the six crew members who were on board continues, with multiple international agencies involved in the operation. The vessel was reported missing after losing contact during Typhoon Sinlaku.

Vessel Identification and Discovery

On Saturday, April 18, 2026, a U.S. Coast Guard HC-130 Hercules airplane search crew spotted an overturned vessel approximately 100 nautical miles northeast of the Mariana's last known position, or about 34 nautical miles northeast of Pagan. The vessel was located roughly 95 nautical miles northeast of Saipan.

The Coast Guard stated the overturned ship matched the description of the Mariana, a 145-foot dry cargo vessel registered in the United States. On Sunday night, an HC-130 Hercules crew from the U.S. Air Force 31st Rescue Squadron confirmed the vessel's identity.

Search Operations

The search for the six missing individuals is ongoing. Multiple assets are involved, including:

• A U.S. Navy Boeing P-8A Poseidon crew.
• A Coast Guard cutter.
• A Japanese coast guard aircrew and vessel equipped with a specialized dive team.
• Coast Guard air crews searching the vicinity of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.

The responding HC-130 airplane deployed rescuers, divers, and boats to the location. Debris found included a partially inflated and submerged life raft located approximately 95 nautical miles northeast of the overturned vessel.

According to a Coast Guard release, if divers locate a viable access point, an underwater remotely operated drone may be used to investigate the vessel further.

The Coast Guard and partnering agencies from Guam, Japan, and New Zealand have covered an area exceeding 75,000 square nautical miles in the search so far.

Timeline of Events

• Wednesday, April 15: The Mariana reported engine failure as Typhoon Sinlaku approached Saipan and nearby islands. The crew reported losing the starboard engine and requested assistance. The Coast Guard established a one-hour communication schedule with the vessel.
• Thursday, April 16: Contact with the Mariana was lost. An initial search flight by an HC-130 plane that morning was terminated due to heavy winds, and the plane returned to Guam. The vessel's last known position was about 140 miles north-northwest of Saipan.
• Saturday, April 18: The overturned vessel was spotted.
• Sunday, April 19: The vessel was identified as the Mariana.

Context of Typhoon Sinlaku

Typhoon Sinlaku impacted the region during the time the Mariana was in distress. The National Weather Service reported the storm hit the islands of Tinian and Saipan with sustained winds of up to 150 mph. The storm caused flooding, roof damage, and overturned cars on Saipan.

Officials stated the storm's large size resulted in roughly 48 hours of strong winds for Saipan, which delayed damage assessment and community assistance efforts. After landfall, the storm's maximum wind speeds decreased to 125 mph as it tracked north.

Coast Guard officials in Honolulu are gathering information on the capsized ship. The nationalities of the six crew members are not publicly known.