HONOLULU – Two mariners are missing after a large blaze onboard a car carrier en route to Hawaii, while three others have been located in the water but are described as “unresponsive.”

The 650-foot Panamanian-flagged vessel Sincerity Ace got into trouble on New Year’s Eve about 2,000 miles off Oahu.

The Coast Guard, Navy and two commercial vessels rushed to the area, and 16 crew members were rescued.

But five mariners haven’t been retrieved.

And a search ― across a 6,700-square-mile area — has been launched for two of the crew members.

Three others have been spotted in the water, and are feared dead.

The Coast Guard said the three are “unresponsive and unable to grab onto life saving equipment to be brought aboard,” but did not elaborate.

“We are thankful for the assistance the crews of these merchant vessels have given us during this event significantly reducing possible response time,” said Lt. Duane Zitta, of Coast Guard Joint Rescue Coordination Center Honolulu.

“Their quick actions provided for the rescue of 16 members of the crew who would otherwise still be in the water and are continuing to aid us.”

The Sincerity Ace, built in 2009 according to Marine Traffic, was en route to Hawaii from Japan when the fire was reported. The Coast Guard was alerted to the vessel’s distress about 1:04 a.m. Hawaii time Monday.

Rescuers are dealing with 15- to 18-foot seas and 17 mph winds.

Those involved in the search are:

• Two Air Station Barbers Point HC-130 Hercules aircrews
• A Navy 7th Fleet P-8 Poseidon aircrew
• Crew of the Motor Vessel Green Lake
• Crew of the SM Eagle
• Crew of the Motor Vessel New Century 1
• Crew of the Motor Vessel Venus Spirit
• Crew of the Motor Vessel Genco Augustus

The International Maritime Organization says the Sincerity Ace is owned by Japan’s Shoei Kisen Co. Ltd.

Coast Guard officials say the ship’s owner is coordinating with merchant vessels for the transport of the rescued mariners. The Sincerity Ace, meanwhile, is adrift on the high seas.

A salvage plan is being drawn up and commercial tugs have been dispatched by the company.