- One man has been found alive after a live export ship carrying cattle capsized south-west of Japan amid typhoon conditions
- The crew member was plucked from the water by rescue crews, after the ship’s engine failed and it was struck by a huge wave
- It’s now feared the ship has sunk, with 43 crew onboard including two Australian men – and thousands of cows
- Gulf Livestock 1 had left New Zealand, headed for China, when it was struck by Typhoon Maysak on Wednesday night
- A search and rescue operating is continuing in waters off the coast of Japan for any sign of the vessel
Only one man aboard a live export ship feared sunk off the coast of Japan has been found alive with grave fears held for the other crew members, including two Australian men.
The two Australians were among the 43 man crew of Gulf Livestock 1, with one of them believed to be veterinary officer Lukas Orda and the other a man was working as a stock handler.
The vessel had departed New Zealand on August 14, headed for China with 5400 cattle onboard when it’s believed it was struck by a monstrous wave south-west of Japan.
The surviving crew member, Sareno Edvardo, explained the ship suffered engine failure due to Typhoon Maysak, before capsizing in a freak wave.
“When it was capsizing, an on-board announcement instructed us to wear a life jacket. So I wore a life jacket and jumped into the sea,” Sareno told the Japenese Coast Guard.
The Coast Guard found the 45-year-old bobbing amongst the still-rough waves late last night, plucking him from the water before hurrying him to a mainland hospital.
Source: Reuters
Sareno reportedly told the Coast Guard he hadn’t seen any of his other crew members in the water while he was awaiting rescue.
The cargo vessel originally let out a distress call in the East China Sea on Wednesday night, amid extremely rough weather caused by the typhoon.
But, widespread air and water searches by officials have yet to find any trace of the ship or its remaining crew members – sparking fears it has sunk.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said it is continuing to provide support to the two Australian men’s families, who’s sons were caught up in the disaster.
“The Australian Government is providing consular assistance to the families of two Australian crew members on board a cargo vessel reported missing in Japanese waters,” DFAT said in a statement.