The disappearance of Sarthak Mahapatra (also reported as Sarthak Mohapatra), a 22-23-year-old deck cadet from Kespur village in Bhadrak district, Odisha, India, has become a deeply concerning and widely discussed case in the maritime community and among seafarer families. Sarthak, who joined Anglo-Eastern Ship Management in July 2025 as part of his cadetship training, was serving aboard the Singapore-flagged vessel MV EA Jersey when he went missing on February 3, 2026.

According to reports from the company and family statements, Sarthak was last seen in the early morning hours of February 3—around 6:15–6:30 AM ship time—entering or exiting his cabin. He had reportedly been on duty (possibly a watch or morning routine) but returned to his room for some reason. By around 8:30 AM, when crew members checked on him (including attempts to deliver breakfast or verify his presence), he could not be located anywhere on the vessel. The ship was in international waters near Mauritius at the time, en route from West Africa (after a voyage involving China to East/West Africa legs) toward Singapore, with an eventual destination in China.
The ship’s crew immediately initiated standard man-overboard (MOB) procedures, conducted a thorough onboard search, and alerted relevant authorities. The Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) Mauritius coordinated search and rescue efforts, involving nearby vessels in the area.

Despite these operations, no trace of Sarthak has been found in the water or elsewhere, even after more than a week of intensive efforts as of mid-February 2026. The vessel eventually resumed its voyage toward Singapore, where it was scheduled to arrive around February 15.
The Directorate General of Shipping (DGS) in India, under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, activated its crisis response mechanism promptly upon notification from Anglo-Eastern Ship Management (India) Pvt. Ltd. They coordinated with the Singapore Flag State Administration, MRCC Mauritius, the vessel’s P&I Club, the Seafarers’ Welfare Fund Society, and other stakeholders. Indian authorities have emphasized ongoing monitoring, fact-finding investigations, and support for the family. The Government of Odisha, including the Chief Minister’s office, has also intervened at a high level following appeals from Sarthak’s family.
Sarthak’s mother, Rasmita Mohapatra, and other family members have expressed profound anguish and suspicion over inconsistencies in the information provided. They last spoke to him via video/phone on February 2, when he appeared normal. Concerns include:

Variations in the company’s initial reports (e.g., one version saying he was last seen entering his cabin, another mentioning stepping out).
Lack of access to CCTV footage from the ship (particularly from the two days prior to the disappearance).
Alleged blocking of phone numbers when family tried to contact onboard officers.
Questions about why mobile phone tracking wasn’t pursued immediately.
Broader worries about seafarer fatigue, mental health pressures, onboard safety monitoring (e.g., why cabins or certain areas aren’t more closely watched if engine rooms and bridges are), and potential foul play or mishandling.

The family has filed a missing persons report at Sahidnagar police station in Bhubaneswar (February 5) and written to high authorities, including the Prime Minister, Odisha CM, and DGS. In a significant development, Rasmita Mohapatra and her brother planned to travel to Singapore around February 14 (with company-covered expenses) to meet the vessel upon docking, seek direct access to evidence like logs and footage, and push for clearer answers.

The case has sparked widespread calls on social media and in maritime circles for greater transparency, independent probes (some demanding CBI involvement), reforms in seafarer welfare (especially for cadets facing long contracts and isolation), and better prevention of such incidents. Hashtags like #JusticeForSarthak, #BringSarthakBack, #SarthakMahapatra, and discussions on platforms highlight the “invisible labor” of seafarers and the high personal cost of maritime careers.
As of the latest available information (around February 15–16, 2026), unfortunately, there has been no trace found of Sarthak, and the search/investigation continues under international coordination. The maritime industry and Indian authorities remain committed to resolving the mystery and supporting the family during this heartbreaking time. Prayers and solidarity continue from the seafaring community for his safe return or clarity on what happened. If new developments emerge or you have additional details, the situation could evolve quickly.