Incident Overview
A pilot operating a general aviation aircraft became lost during a flight. After circling a ship, the pilot executed a ditching due to a low fuel supply. The aircraft was subsequently lost. The pilot and one passenger were not recovered. Two passengers were rescued by the crew of the ship.
Passenger Account
One of the rescued passengers reported that the pilot never informed the occupants that he was lost. However, the passenger noted that the pilot was experiencing compass problems and was frantically looking at charts during the flight.
Aircraft Equipment
The aircraft was equipped with two VOR receivers and one ADF. There were no NOTAMs listed for the VOR or NDB navigational aids at the destination airport. Additionally, the aircraft carried a four-man life raft and four life vests. According to the passenger, one individual inflated the life raft before ditching, but then punctured it to regain space. The life vests were not located by the occupants.
Outcome
The pilot and one passenger remain unrecovered. The two rescued passengers were brought aboard the ship. No further information regarding the aircraft type, registration, operator, or exact location was provided in the source.