The petition, filed June 17 by Alicia Agulto and represented by attorney Andrés Ojeda Morales of Dotts Law Office, asks the CNMI Superior Court to declare her son, Vincent Agulto, legally presumed dead so probate proceedings can begin.
Vincent was one of five crew members aboard the 145‑foot U.S.-registered dry cargo vessel Mariana when it became disabled and later capsized during Super Typhoon Sinlaku.
In her sworn declaration, Agulto said that despite an extensive two‑week search covering more than 135,000 square nautical miles, “Vincent’s body has not been found… He is believed to be dead.”
The U.S. Coast Guard suspended its search on April 29, saying it was “deeply saddened” after failing to locate the missing crew.
According to the memorandum filed with the court, the Mariana’s starboard engine failed on April 15 while the vessel was roughly 140 miles north-northwest of Saipan. Coast Guard watchstanders lost communication with the ship that same evening. The vessel was later found capsized about 100 nautical miles northeast of its last known position.
In an order issued June 18, Presiding Judge Camacho wrote that before a probate can be opened, the court must first make a finding that Vincent Agulto is deceased. He set the evidentiary hearing for June 30.
The order directs the parties to submit pre‑marked exhibit lists, make arrangements for interpreters if needed, and come prepared to call witnesses. Any opposition to the petition is due June 26, and any reply from the petitioner is due by noon on June 30.
Agulto’s petition seeks a declaration of death, which allows the court to presume death when a missing person was exposed to a specific peril and cannot be found after a diligent search.
The estate lists a potential claim involving the Mariana and identifies Vincent’s three minor children as heirs.
