Calcutta, April 15: A sailor of Genius Star, the Malaysian vessel that sank 300 km southeast of Haldia, was feared dead as the coast guard scouring the sea found a life jacket floating.

Captain of the cargo ship Hwang Hong and third officer Xu-Dong are missing.

“We are not sure whose jacket it is,” coast guard commandant R.K. Wadhwa said. The three merchant ships engaged in the rescue operation have been released and the coast guard would continue the search on its own.

“An aircraft is involved in the operation,” said Wadhwa. Sixteen sailors among the 18-member crew have been rescued from the high sea.