Case Directory
  Category 1, Distant Encounters 
 
  Preliminary Rating: 5  
                                   


A Hynek Classification of Distant Encounter is usually an incident involving an object more than 500 feet from the witness. At night it is classified as a "nocturnal light" (NL) and during the day as a "daylight disc" (DD). The size of the object or the viewing conditions may render the object in greater detail but yet not qualify the sighting as a Close Encounter which is an object within 500'. 

Object 100' Above Sea Observed By Ship MV Marcala
Aug. 4, 1950
North Atlantic

A. F. Rullan:
August 4, 1950; North Atlantic
10:00 a.m. EDT. in the North Atlantic, 3 officers (Master, Chief Mate, and Third Mate) of the MV Marcala saw an unidentified elliptical object approach the ship from the SW and heading NE. The object’s direction was opposite that of the ship. According to the Master, the closest the object passed the ship was 1,000 ft. The Chief Mate and Third Mate, however, thought the object was over 10 miles away. All witnesses, however, agreed that the object was no more than 100 ft over the sea level. Speed estimates ranged from 25 mph to 500 mph depending on the witness testimony. The weather was clear and visibility was 14 miles. The object was described as ovular, cylindrically shaped, and elliptically shaped like half an egg cut lengthwise. The object’s color was described as shiny aluminum color that sparkled in the sunlight and also as metallic white. All 3 witnesses described the object having a rotary motion and wobbling motion. The duration of the sighting was between 15 seconds and 1.5 minutes. USAF Intelligence Officers interviewed all witnesses. (Blue Book conclusion: Unknown; Blue Book UFO Reports at Sea by Ships, A. F. Rullan, page 35.)

Fran Ridge:
This report was filed in accordance with official Navy regulations and listed as an unknown, case #773.


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