family members and friends.” A young merchant navy official fromodisha s bhadrak district went missing while on duty aboard a vessel near Malaysian waters, triggering concern among family members and prompting search operations at sea. The missing seafarer, identified as Sarthak Mahapatra, was serving as a cadet with Anglo-Eastern Ship Management and was part of the crew on the EA Jersey vessel.Sarthak went missing while the ship was returning to Singapore from West Africa. The incident reportedly occurred during duty hours, under circumstances that remain unclear. According to information shared by the family, Sarthak had been working with Anglo-Eastern Ship Management since July 14, 2025. He last spoke to his mother through a video call on February 2 and was also in touch with other family members and friends on the same day. On February 3, when his mother attempted to contact him again, the call went unanswered.Subsequently, the company informed the family through a letter that Sarthak was missing and that search operations had been initiated to locate him. He was last seen entering his cabin on the morning of February 3. At around 8.30 am on February 3, the ship’s chief officer went to check Sarthak’s cabin and found him absent. A search was immediately launched across the vessel, but he could not be traced. An alarm was raised, followed by a headcount of all crew members, which confirmed that Sarthak was not on board.The vessel later reduced speed and intensified search operations in the surrounding waters. The Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre in Mauritius was also alerted. However, no trace of Sarthak had been found at the time of reporting Family members said repeated attempts to contact Sarthak after February 2 failed, heightening their concern. His mother has appealed to both the state and central governments for assistance in locating her son.Sarthak’s mother said, “The ship had gone to West Africa fromchina , and from there it was supposed to return to its origin through Singapore. They were near Singapore on February 2 when he spoke to me, other. She added, “We have submitted applications to the authorities and have also mailed cm mohan majhi and the Director General of Police. I request the governments to look into the matter and help bring my son back.”
