Freighter disappears off Mexico, 18 missing

June 23, 2000
Web posted at: 8:33 p.m. EDT (0033 GMT)

ACAPULCO, Mexico (CNN) -- Rescue crews Friday searched for possible survivors after a Lithuanian freighter with 18 crew members got caught in a hurricane packing winds of more than 125 mph off the coast of Acapulco.

The last contact with the ship took place late Tuesday.

"Right now, we are looking for possible survivors in a life raft," said Lt. Cmdr. Michael Hicks of the U.S. Coast Guard. "There's a chance they could still be out there."

Two C-130 aircraft, a U.S. Naval vessel and a Mexican Navy ship were combing the waters about 220 miles southwest of Acapulco. Each ship is equipped with search helicopters, and the Coast Guard was trying to get clearance for a third C-130 to join the search.

The search began early Wednesday after the 338-foot freighter, Linkuva, reported its engine had quit and that it was caught in Hurricane Carlotta.

"They were getting 120-knot winds," Hicks said of the category-4 hurricane, which had sustained winds of up to 150 mph.

The freighter was equipped with four life rafts.

Waves surged to 40 feet late Tuesday, when the crew aboard the freighter first reported problems. Conditions have eased since then, but there was no immediate sign of the ship or crew.

"It's a mystery to us," Hicks said.

The freighter, which typically carries loads of fish, was heading to Long Beach, California.

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