Navy, Coast Guard search for mariner missing from Norfolk-based cargo ship

Caitlyn Burchett, The Virginian-Pilot
·1 min read

The Navy and Coast Guard are searching for a civil service mariner who went missing from a Norfolk-based cargo ship off the coast of Virginia.

The mariner, whose identity is being withheld at this time, was reported missing from USNS Medgar Evers Wednesday after the mariner failed to appear for a morning meeting, said LaShawn Sykes, a spokesperson for Military Sealift Command.

USNS Medgar Evers is a Military Sealift Command dry cargo and ammunition ship that delivers supplies to the Navy and allied ships while at sea. Military Sealift Command ships are crewed by civilian merchant mariners.

The near 700-foot-long cargo ship, which operated out of Naval Station Norfolk, was off the coast of Virginia when the mariner was discovered to be missing.

Assisting in the search is U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Nathan Bruckenthal and a 47-foot motor lifeboat from Sector North Carolina.

Caitlyn Burchett, caitlyn.burchett@virginiamedia.com