The U.S. Coast Guard is continuing its search for six crew members after their vessel, the U.S.-flagged ship 'Pacific Trader', was found overturned in the Pacific Ocean near the U.S. territory of Saipan. The ship was located on Monday, April 20, 2026, after it was reported missing in the wake of Typhoon Viola, a powerful storm that passed through the region.
According to the Coast Guard, the 180-foot cargo vessel was last heard from on April 18 as the typhoon approached. A multi-agency search effort involving aircraft and cutters located the overturned hull approximately 50 nautical miles north of Saipan. No signs of the crew have been found at the scene.
The Coast Guard has stated that search conditions remain challenging due to the aftermath of the storm but that efforts are ongoing. The names of the missing crew members have not been released pending notification of their families. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has announced it will investigate the incident.
