Bhubaneswar, February 6: Naveen Patnaik, Former CM, Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the Odisha Assembly and Biju Janata Dal (BJD) President, has expressed deep concern regarding the disappearance of a merchant navy cadet from the state, who went missing in the Pacific Ocean. He has called for the immediate intervention of the Directorate General of Shipping (DGS) and the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) to help locate the missing cadet and assist his family.
Taking to social media, Patnaik shared, “I am deeply concerned about the disappearance of Cadet Sarthak Mohapatra from #Odisha. My thoughts are with his family. I urge the Directorate General of Shipping (@dgshipping_IN) and the Ministry of External Affairs (@MEAIndia) to provide urgent support, coordinate with all relevant authorities, and expedite the search efforts. Praying for Sarthak’s safe return.”
According to reports, Sarthak Mohapatra, a 23-year-old deck cadet from Bhadrak district, was reported missing while aboard the merchant vesselEA Jersey, operated by Anglo-Eastern Ship Management. The vessel was en route from Mauritius to Singapore when the incident occurred. Sarthak had joined the ship on July 14, 2025, as a deck cadet. He was last in contact with his family on the evening of February 2, 2026, at around 9:00 p.m., before his disappearance on February 3.
Family sources reveal that Sarthak's usual duty hours aboard the ship were from 4:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. On the morning of February 3, he reportedly left his post around 6:00 a.m. and returned to his cabin, where he was last seen entering at approximately 6:15 a.m. Shortly thereafter, the family was informed by the company that Sarthak could not be located aboard the vessel. A search operation was initiated at sea, coordinated by maritime authorities, including the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) in Mauritius.
However, the family has expressed concerns due to the lack of detailed information about the circumstances surrounding Sarthak’s disappearance. No visual records or further evidence have been provided by the company thus far. The ongoing search efforts are being carried out, but the family remains in the dark about the specifics of the situation.
Rasmita Sahoo, Sarthak’s mother and a private hospital employee in Bhubaneswar, has also appealed to Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and the MEA for urgent assistance in locating her son. On February 4, she made an emotional plea on social media, writing: “I am a distressed mother seeking urgent help. My son, Cadet Sarthak Mohapatra, went missing on the M.V.EA Jerseyon February 3, 2026, during its sailing. @CMO_Odisha @PMOIndia @dgshipping_IN @angloeasterngrp @MEAIndia @DrSJaishankar @IndianDiplomacy.”
The family remains hopeful that swift action will bring Sarthak back to safety.
