Wakabamaru-No.7 Ship Details and Seafarer Feedback

A search and rescue operation is underway for a 34-year-old crewmember reported to have fallen overboard from the Japanese fishing vessel 'Akaba Maru No. 7', located approximately 170 miles southwest of Chuuk Island. The incident was reported to the Coast Guard Sector Guam Command Center by the Yokohama Rescue Coordination Center around 8 a.m. on September 2, 2014. The missing individual, a citizen of the Federated States of Micronesia, was last seen at midnight prior to the incident. In response, an HC-130 Hercules aircraft from Coast Guard Air Station Barbers Point has been deployed, embarking on a 3,625 mile journey to the search area and anticipated to arrive at approximately 4:30 p.m. on September 3. The search efforts are being supported by the vessel 'Wakaba Maru 7', a rescue helicopter, two sister fishing boats, as well as a U.S. Navy P-3 Orion aircraft operating from Kadena Air Base. The Coast Guard is actively directing the search, deploying strategic patterns for the active vessels and aircraft. Current weather conditions in the area feature winds of 10 mph and seas measuring 5 feet.