There was no further contact with the doomed vessel or its 81 crew members. Typhoon Lex strikes South China Sea. The Glomar Java Sea in it's last communication stated it was listing 15 degrees starboard. SAR of area includes 11 Chinese Naval vessels, US Naval Aircraft, Commercial ships and at least 2 North Vietnamese vessels. Continued SAR of Gulf of Tonkin by US, Chinese and Vietnamese aircraft and ships seeking survivors.
Sea is extremely rough.
The Western Pacific Search and Rescue Center identifies wreckage 300 feet below water surface. Vietnam, after refusing to allow SAR by any other nations in their territorial waters, sends 3 ships into area. Coast Guard Board of Inquiry convened. Both public and private hearings are held. Douglas Pierce, father of one of the missing crewmen, told the USCG panel that his son and 15 other US men were seen in Vietnamese prison camps .