Archive image: Coast Guard Air Station Barbers Point aircrews conduct flight formations in the soon to be retired HC-130H Hercules airplane.
The HC-130H model has been assigned to the unit since 1959 and is being replaced by the HC-130J Super Hercules model.
U.S. Coast Guard photo by Lt. Cmdr. Scott Handlin
HONOLULU — The Coast Guard suspended its search for the missing crew members of the cargo vessel Mariana at 10:35 p.m. Tuesday, April 28, 2026.
Missing are five crew members of the cargo vessel Mariana, which reportedly experienced a disabled engine approximately 140 nautical miles northwest of Saipan on April 15.
In total, Coast Guard crews and involved partners 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, 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 CNMI community.”
Search efforts for the missing crew members of the cargo ship Mariana began after Joint Rescue Coordination Center Honolulu watchstanders lost communications with the vessel on April 15.
U.S. Coast Guard Air Station Barbers Point HC-130J Super Hercules aircrew photo.
Search efforts began after Coast Guard Joint Rescue Coordination Center Honolulu (JRCC Honolulu) watchstanders lost communications with the Mariana on April 15.
Watchstanders coordinated the launch of HC-130J Super Hercules airplane aircrews from Coast Guard Air Station Barbers Point and the crews of fast response Coast Guard Cutters USCGC Frederick Hatch (WPC 1143) and USCGC Oliver Henry (WPC 1140) to search for the missing vessel and crew members.
Involved in the search:
- Coast Guard Cutter Frederick Hatch (WPC 1143), Coast Guard Forces Micronesia / Sector Guam, Apra Harbor, Guam
- Coast Guard Cutter Oliver Henry (WPC 1140), Coast Guard Forces Micronesia / Sector Guam, Apra Harbor, Guam
- U.S. Coast Guard Air Station Barbers Point HC-130J Super Hercules aircrews, Kapolei, Hawaii
- U.S. Air Force 31st Rescue Squadron pararescuemen, Kadena Air Base, Okinawa, Japan
- U.S. Air Force 36th Airlift Squadron HC-130J Combat King II, Yokota Air Base, Tokyo
- U.S. Navy P-8A Poseidon airplane aircrew, Patrol Squadron 26 (VP-26), Commander, Task Force 72 (CTF-72)
- Japan Coast Guard Gulfstream V jet
- Japan Coast Guard patrol vessel Akitsushima (PLH-32), Yokohama, Japan
- Royal New Zealand Air Force P-8A Poseidon airplane aircrew, RNZAF Base Ohakea, New Zealand
The U.S. Coast Guard is leading the investigation into the incident with assistance from the National Transportation Safety Board.
–USCG-
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