U.S. Coast Guard searches for missing vessel offshore Saipan

(USCG) Honolulu — The U.S. Coast Guard is searching for a missing cargo

 vessel Friday that experienced engine failure near Saipan Wednesday.

On Wednesday, Joint Rescue Coordination Center Honolulu watchstanders

received a report from the vessel manager of the Mariana, a 145-foot U.S.-registered dry cargo vessel, stating the vessel’s starboard engine was disabled

with six people aboard approximately 140 miles north-northwest of Saipan.

Coast Guard watchstanders established a one-hour communication schedule with the Mariana via the vessel manager. There were no medical concerns at the time of the report.

Watchstanders lost communications with the vessel Wednesday evening and has not regained them. On Thursday morning, a Coast Guard Air Station

 Barbers Point HC-130 Hercules airplane crew launched to search for the vessel but returned to Guam due to heavy winds in the search area.

The Coast Guard HC-130 Hercules is scheduled to conduct a first-light search Saturday morning (GST). The last known position of the Mariana is approximately 140 miles north of Saipan.

Anyone with information that may assist in search efforts should contact the Coast Guard on VHF-FM channel 16 or call the Joint Rescue Coordination Center Honolulu: 1-800-331-6176.