HONOLULU, HI (USA) — Three days after the rescue boat American Quest reluctantly ended its search, believing that the abandoned tanker Insiko 1907 had sunk and taken its sole living occupant to a watery grave, hope springs anew.  A possible sighting of the lost tanker has led authorities to believe that "Forgea" the dog may still be alive, now 10 days after her rescued shipmates were allegedly forced to leave her behind on a ghost ship.

At approximately 5pm (HST) on Wednesday, the Coast Guard reported that it had received an unconfirmed radar contact with a ship that may be the lost Insiko.

"We still have some hope that the Insiko may be found and that Forgea is alive," said Hawaiian Humane Society (HHS) President Pamela Burns yesterday.  Last weekend, the HHS and the Humane Society of the United States had organized a bold rescue effort to save the lone dog, utilizing both air and sea craft.  After searching some 14,800 square miles of ocean and finding nothing, the American Marine Corp. boat American Quest concluded that the tanker had most probably gone down.  The rescuers headed back to port on Sunday, Apr. 7.

Wednesday's new sighting was logged by a fishing boat located a considerable distance west of the Insiko's anticipated location and well outside the searched area which was based on the best available information at the time.

"We are in contact with a fishing boat that is the closest known ship to the unconfirmed radar contact made to the Coast Guard," said Rusty Nall, spokesperson for American Marine Corporation.  "The fishing boat, that wishes to remain anonymous, is heading at all possible speed, and is expected to arrive in the area tomorrow [April 13]."