The U.S. Coast Guard is coordinating a search for a 55-year-old mariner reported overboard near the Republic of Palau on Wednesday.

Coast Guard Joint Rescue Coordination Center Honolulu received a forwarded Inmarsat-C phone distress call from Rescue Coordination Center Australia regarding a crewmember who was reported overboard off the motor vessel Taipower Prosperity II in the Philippine Sea near the Republic of Palau.

JRCC Honolulu forwarded the information to watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Guam.

The missing mariner is reportedly the master of the ship. He was last seen Wednesday. After a thorough search of all spaces aboard the ship the master was not located and the ship made a 180-degree turn on its course tracking to begin the search.

Involved in the search are the Taipower Prosperity II, The Pacific Patrol Boat Remeliik from the Republic of Palau and the AMVER vessel Ocean Symphony. Aerial searches have been conducted by an Australian P-3 Orion airplane, and a U.S. Navy CTF-72 P-3 and an SH-60 helicopter crew attached to the USS Preble.

A Coast Guard HC-130 Hercules airplane was launched from Air Station Barbers Point Wednesday and is currently en route to the region.