USCG, partners suspend search for missing mariner off Guam

The U.S. Coast Guard says it has suspended the active search for the missing mariner from the fishing vessel Miyamaru No. 18, Thursday.

The mariner, a Indonesia native, remains missing.

“Working with the Navy, Australian Defense Forces, an Automated Mutual-Assistance Vessel Rescue System vessel, and good Samaritans aboard 15 fishing vessels, our crews conducted a total of 15 searches, over the course of 42 hours, covering over 6,553 square miles,” said Lt. Cmdr. Victoria Saxon, a search and rescue mission coordinator at Joint Rescue Sub-Center Guam. “While it is not an easy decision, we have suspended the active search pending any further new information.”

At 11:30 p.m., Sunday, a mariner aboard the fishing vessel Miyamaru No. 18 attempted to swim to a nearby fishing vessel. The crew lost sight of him and began searching the area. At 2:27 a.m., Monday, JRSC Guam watchstanders received a report from the Japan Coast Guard notifying them of the situation.

The weather conditions on scene are winds of 23 mph and seas up to 6 feet.