The Coast Guard suspended its search for the five missing crew members of the cargo vessel Mariana at 10:35 p.m. April 28, almost two weeks after the 145’ vessel reported a disabled engine approximately 140 miles northwest of Saipan on April 15 before losing contact with the Coast Guard.
Six crew members aboard the Mariana at the time of the incident were Frederick L. Nosek Jr., Landon Delos Reyes, Jose L. Ramirez, Mohammed A. Rahaman, Chet R. Brochon, and Vincent B. Agulto. A dive team from the U.S. Air Force 31st Rescue Squadron recovered one deceased crew member from the capsized vessel April 20.
In all Coast Guard crews and allies searched for more than 100 hours, covering over 135,000 square nautical miles, an area larger than the size of California.
“We are deeply saddened to announce that despite widespread efforts, we have made the difficult decision to suspend our active search for the missing crew members,” said Cmdr. Preston Hieb, search and rescue mission coordinator for the Coast Guard Oceania District. “We offer our deepest condolences to the families of the Mariana crew, as well as the entire Saipan community affected by this tragedy. We are grateful for the efforts of our international and U.S. military partners during the search, as well as the resilience and support demonstrated by the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands community.”
Search efforts began after the Coast Guard watchstanders at the Joint Rescue Coordination Center in Honolulu lost communications with the Mariana on April 15.
Watchstanders coordinated the launch of HC-130 Hercules airplane crews from Coast Guard Air Station Barbers Point and the crews of fast response cutters Frederick Hatch and Oliver Henry to search for the missing vessel and crew members.
Subsequent air and sea searches involved the two cutters and the Japan Coast Guard patrol vessel Akitsushima; U.S. Coast Guard, Air Force and Navy aircrews; and air missions flown by Japan Coast Guard and New Zealand Air Force units.
The U.S. Coast Guard is leading an investigation into the incident with assistance from the National Transportation Safety Board.
