China, South Korea and Taiwan search for missing livestock carrier crew
At the request of the government of the Philippines; China, Taiwan and South Korea joined the search and rescue operations for 40 missing crew from the livestock carrier Gulf Livestock 1.
On August 14, the livestock carrier, carrying more than 5,000 cattle, left Napier in New Zealand for Tangshan in China. It sent a distress signal and subsequently sank on 2 September while sailing in the Eastern China Sea in bad weather caused by Typhoon Maysak.
In search operations led by the Japanese Coastguard, which have been scaled back since September 10, only three men from the 43 crew, a mix of Filipinos, Australians and New Zealanders, have been found. One of the men rescued was unconscious and died later on.
Gulf Livestock 1 began its trading career in 2002 as a 630 TEU container ship before being converted 10 years later to a livestock carrier.
“Our thoughts and prayers go out to the missing crew members. We will continue to provide necessary assistance as requested by the Philippine side and sincerely hope all of them could be found at the earliest,” the Chinese embassy stated.
Maritime Business World
YORUM KAT