Indian Merchant Navy Cadet Vanishes Near Mauritius, Family Seeks Urgent Help
A distressing incident has unfolded in international waters, casting a shadow over a family in Odisha. Sarthak Mohapatra, a 22-year-old merchant navy cadet hailing from Bhadrak district, has reportedly gone missing from his vessel near Mauritius. This alarming development has triggered deep concern among his loved ones and prompted urgent appeals for intervention from both the state government and the central authorities.
Details of the Disappearance at Sea
The missing cadet, Sarthak Mohapatra, from Kespur village in Bhadrak, was serving aboard the MV EA Jersey. This vessel is managed by Anglo-Eastern Ship Management. According to available information, the ship was en route from East Africa to Singapore when the incident occurred on February 3.
The shipping company communicated with the family via email, detailing the sequence of events. Sarthak was last seen entering his designated cabin. Subsequently, when the ship's chief officer went to check on him, he was not found inside. Another crew member later attempted to deliver breakfast but also failed to locate the young cadet. A thorough search was conducted across the entire vessel, yet Sarthak could not be traced.
In response to the situation, the company immediately alerted the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) in Mauritius, which serves as the nearest coast station to the vessel's location.
Family's Anguish and Appeal for Action
Sarthak's mother, Rasmita Mohapatra, shared that her son last spoke to her around 8:30 PM on February 2. During this conversation, he inquired about her health and sounded completely normal, showing no signs of stress or distress. She noted that the ship had previously sailed from China to East Africa and was on its return journey via Singapore at the time of the incident.
Sarthak had joined the shipping company in July 2025. His parents, suspecting potential foul play, have sought urgent intervention from the authorities. On Wednesday, family members met with Odia Language, Literature and Culture Minister Suryabanshi Suraj to plead their case. They also received a call from Member of Parliament Baijayant Panda, who assured them that he would take up the matter with the central government.
Officials from the Odisha Parivar directorate confirmed that the state government is actively pursuing the case. In a desperate bid for assistance, Rasmita Mohapatra has also turned to social media, appealing for help on platform X. Her posts have tagged Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Director General of Shipping in India, and authorities in Mauritius, Singapore, and the Ministry of External Affairs.
The disappearance of Sarthak Mohapatra highlights the vulnerabilities faced by seafarers and underscores the critical need for swift international cooperation in maritime search and rescue operations. His family continues to hope for his safe return as investigations proceed.
