Project 10073 Record Card — Sighting Report 5 Mar 61

On March 5, 1961, the Master of the vessel M/V Prins Willem Van Oranj reported a sighting of two unidentified flying objects while at sea at coordinates 49.38N 20.26W. The observation began at 1900GMT and lasted for approximately 40 minutes. The witness described the objects as being positioned one on the port side and one on the starboard side, at approximately 160 degrees true. The objects were described as 'seemingly missiles,' with one traveling at a heading of approximately 90 degrees and the other at 110 degrees. The witness noted that streaks of smoke remained visible from the objects until 2000GMT. The report was transmitted via military channels to various commands, including CINCLANTFLT, CINCNORAD, and the US Air Force. Project 10073 evaluated the report and concluded that the duration of the sighting was too long for the objects to be meteors, and their motion was too rapid for them to be a planet. Ultimately, the project determined that the report did not contain sufficient evidence to conduct a formal analysis.