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Vigil Held as Search Ends, One Body Found

4/29/2026

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Summary

Story summary

A vigil in the Mariana Islands honored the missing crew of the capsized cargo vessel Mariana.
The U.S. Coast Guard suspended the search after covering 135,000 square nautical miles, an area larger than California.
Divers and the U.S. Navy, Japan Coast Guard and Royal New Zealand Air Force located the Mariana 34 nautical miles northeast of Pagan Island, recovered one body, and joined the effort to support Saipan's grieving community.

History

Historical Context

After the 1975 loss of the freighter SS Edmund Fitzgerald—where the U.S. Coast Guard deployed 12 cutters, 30 aircraft and recovered only one of 29 crew (3.4%)—the United States, Japan and New Zealand air forces now sweep 135,000 sq nm for the capsized cargo ship Mariana near Pagan Island. The tragedy spurred multinational SAR coordination and stricter Great Lakes safety rules.

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Story summary

A vigil in the Mariana Islands honored the missing crew of the capsized cargo vessel Mariana.
The U.S. Coast Guard suspended the search after covering 135,000 square nautical miles, an area larger than California.
Divers and the U.S. Navy, Japan Coast Guard and Royal New Zealand Air Force located the Mariana 34 nautical miles northeast of Pagan Island, recovered one body, and joined the effort to support Saipan's grieving community.

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