Searchers locate missing vessel Lucky Harvest, 2 mariners
May 16, 2025
The Lucky Harvest has been found.
The 47-foot vessel that went missing on May 12 en route to Saipan from Alamagan Island, was found disabled and adrift, 125 nautical miles west of Guam, after the two mariners aboard activated an emergency beacon Friday, according to a release by the U.S. Coast Guard.
At about 6:30 a.m. Friday, the Joint Rescue Sub-Center Guam received a distress signal from the Lucky Harvest’s emergency beacon, giving coordinates to its exact location.
A Navy MH-60 Knighthawk helicopter crew from HSC-25 arrived on the scene at about 9:30 and hoisted one of the mariners aboard.
A Coast Guard HC-130 Hercules aircraft from Air Station Barbers Point, Hawaii, was sent to monitor the vessel and the remaining mariner.
The USCGC Myrtle Hazard was traveling to the vessel’s location, with plans to bring the second mariner aboard and tow the Lucky Harvest to a safe harbor.
“We understand that they suffered an electrical failure and that’s what caused the vessel to become disabled,” said Chief Warrant Officer Sara Muir, public affairs officer for the U.S. Coast Guard., Guam sector.
“We are relieved to have located the Lucky Harvest and to have one mariner safely rescued,” said Cmdr. Patton Epperson, search and rescue mission coordinator. “Our focus now is on ensuring the safety of the second mariner and securing the vessel, and we’re deeply grateful for the swift response of our Navy partners and the ongoing support from all involved.”
The Coast Guard continues to coordinate with the CNMI Department of Public Safety and civilian partners, including the crew of the motor vessel Mama Loling, who assisted in earlier search efforts.
“Really, the highlight here is the use of that emergency beacon, and we really advocate for everyone who operates on the waters here to have one of those beacons and to use them,” said Muir. “It really cuts the search out of search and rescue, and it allows us to get people rescued and home to their loved ones.”
