US Coast Guard Suspends Search For Missing Crew

The US Coast Guard has suspended the search for five missing crew members of the cargo vessel Mariana. The ship lost power and subsequently capsized in waters north of the Northern Mariana Islands more than two weeks ago. The Coast Guard is continuing an investigation into the incident with assistance from the US National Transportation Safety Board. Search efforts involved US Coast Guard air and sea assets, US Air Force rescue teams, US Navy aircraft, the Japan Coast Guard, and the Royal New Zealand Air Force. The search covered hundreds of thousands of miles of open ocean and nearby islands. The decision was announced alongside condolences to the families of the crew and the Saipan community. Officials stated the decision to suspend the search was made after careful consideration of all available information. The vessel was reported to have a disabled engine approximately 100 miles from land. One deceased crew member was recovered on April 20 after the vessel reported a disabled engine northeast of Pagan. Coast Guard searched for over 100 hours, covering an area larger than the state of California, in an effort to find missing crew members. Aerial searches of the Northern Mariana Islands were conducted for any signs of survivors on land. military and international partners.