Family of Missing Kiwifruit Hopes After Remains of Sunken Cattle Ship Found | 1 NEWS



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Several items of debris have been found after the sinking of a cattle ship off Japan, giving hope to the New Zealand family of one of the missing crew members.

Debris, including a life ring, allegedly found in the Tokara Islands after the sinking of Gulf Livestock 1. Source: Supplied


Loche Bellerby, 28, and Scott Harris are among 40 crew members missing and presumed dead after the Gulf Livestock 1 sank off Japan more than a month ago, on September 2.

However, a privately funded search operation says it has found signs of life, including ship debris, in the Tokara Islands.

The chain of 12 small islands is located off the coast of Japan.

According to the searchers, they found a single blue boot, a life ring, the canopy of a life raft and three orange barrels tied together, as well as several dead cows.

The debris is believed to be the canopy of a life raft after the sinking of Gulf Livestock 1. Source: Supplied


Bellerby’s family say the results leave them hoping to see more signs of life.

“This critical information has been relayed to the Japanese Coast Guard by Australian authorities,” a family spokesman told 1 NEWS today.

“The Bellerby family is asking the New Zealand Foreign Office for official diplomatic support with the Japanese Coast Guard as long as the window of survival remains possible.”

Three orange barrels tied together found after the sinking of the Gulf Livestock 1. Source: Supplied


The private search has cost around $ 136,000 so far, with planes and helicopters used in the search.

Part of the funding came from New Zealanders who contributed to the search through Givealittle, as well as contributions from the families of the victims.

Another aerial search will be conducted around the Amami Islands by helicopter, while a satellite search is also underway.

“The families are working with maritime experts to further identify the items and other potential areas of interest,” said a spokesman for the Bellerby family.

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