A ship with seven men aboard that was last seen leaving the southwestern part of Maloelap Atoll headed north to Kaven Island has been reported missing, according to a Coast Guard news release.

A Coast Guard HC-130 Hercules airplane from Air Station Barbers Point is on its way to The Republic of the Marshall Islands to assist in the search, and it will take the crew about 8 hours to reach the atoll. 

An Air Marshall Islands aircraft is currently conducting search patterns while the Royal Australian Navy is preparing to launch a 107-foot Pacific patrol boat.

The Royal Australian Navy liaison to the Republic of Marshall Islands contacted Coast Guard Joint Rescue Coordination Center Honolulu watchstanders at 10 p.m. Thursday and reported the vessel was 24 hours overdue.

The men aboard the 20-foot skiff are between the ages of 19 and 30 years old.