East China Sea: US Navy ship encounters USO
The crew of a US Navy ship in the East China Sea near Okinawa sighted a large underwater light early in the morning, which approached, passed by, and disappeared. A light then appeared high above the water and moved rapidly across the horizon.
Background
Incident
Early in the morning of March 16, 1968, the crew of a US Navy ship several hours out from Okinawa, Japan in the East China Sea encountered a large light beneath the water. It approached the ship, passed it heading southwest, and appeared to be rotating. After it disappeared over the horizon, a light appeared high above the point where the underwater object had submerged, and crossed from one horizon to the other in about 10 seconds.
Witnesses and Observations
The US Navy ship's crew were the primary witnesses. The object showed unusual manoeuvres: an underwater approach with rotation, then rapid movement above the surface. No further details about the ship or crew members are available.
Sources and Investigations
Reported in NICAP publications (UFO Investigator, Jan./Feb. 1971, May 1971). Richard Dolan mentions it in USO1 (pp. 315–316). The case remained unconfirmed but has been examined as an underwater UFO sighting.
Significance
A prime example of a USO (unidentified submerged object), involving military presence and physical anomalies. It points to the continuing interest in oceanic UAP phenomena.