A U.S.-flagged cargo vessel went missing in the western Pacific Ocean after reporting engine trouble while Super Typhoon Sinlaku hit the region, according to the U.S. Coast Guard.

The 145-foot dry cargo ship, operating between Guam, Tinian and Saipan, lost contact with authorities after it suffered a starboard engine failure during worsening weather. The ship last communicated with the Coast Guard before all radio contact stopped, leaving six crewmembers unaccounted for.

Coast Guard officials had set up a regular check‑in schedule with the ship. But as the typhoon’s force grew, communication was lost on the afternoon of April 16. The vessel’s Automatic Identification System (AIS) signal also went silent, hampering tracking efforts.

Search flights were launched, including a U.S. Coast Guard HC‑130 Hercules aircraft, but heavy winds and dangerous conditions forced crews to return to base at times, slowing search operations.

On Saturday, search teams spotted an overturned hull that may match the missing ship about 100 nautical miles northeast of its last known position. However, authorities have not yet confirmed if this is the missing vessel.

Multiple aircrews and vessels are now involved in the rescue effort, including units from the U.S. Navy and the Japan Coast Guard. Officials have not released details about the nationalities of the crew members or given updates on their status