Indian Merchant Navy Officer Goes Missing While On Duty Near Mauritius

A merchant navy officer from Odisha, India, has been reported missing while working aboard a vessel near Mauritius, leading his family to seek urgent help from both the central and state governments.

The missing seafarer has been identified as Sarthak Mahapatra, a resident of Kespur village in Odisha’s Bhadrak district. He has been employed with a private shipping company since July 2025.

According to information shared by his family and reported by news agency PTI, the vessel was on a return voyage to China from West Africa, travelling via Singapore.

The incident reportedly took place on February 3, when the ship was sailing close to Mauritius.

Sarthak’s mother, Rashmita Mahapatra, said the family last spoke to him on February 2, when the ship was near Singapore. She stated that he had spoken with her, other family members and friends before the vessel continued its journey.

The family was informed the next day that Sarthak had gone missing while on duty aboard the vessel. His disappearance has caused distress to his family, who are now seeking answers about what happened.

I (Rasmita Sahoo) am a distressed mother seeking urgent help. My son Cadet Sarthak Mohapatra has gone missing while on board vessel M.V. EA Jersey on 3rd Feb 2026 during sailing. @CMO_Odisha @PMOIndia @dgshipping_IN @angloeasterngrp @MEAIndia @DrSJaishankar @IndianDiplomacy pic.twitter.com/Ei9S8riU27

— RASMITA SAHOO (@rasmitasahoo76) February 4, 2026

Rashmita Mahapatra has appealed to both the Odisha government and the Centre to intervene and help locate her son.

She has also reached out to the Prime Minister, the Chief Minister of Odisha, the Director General of Shipping, and the Ministry of External Affairs through emails and posts on social media platform X.

In her appeal, she requested a transparent investigation, access to the ship’s CCTV footage, information about her son’s personal belongings, and regular official updates.

No official statement has yet been issued on the circumstances surrounding Mahapatra’s disappearance or on the steps being taken by the shipping company or authorities. Further details are awaited.

References: cnbctv18, ndtv

Source: Maritime Shipping News