[ad_1]
The mother of a kiwi, who disappeared after the cattle boat she was traveling on sank, is demanding the government to help with search and rescue efforts.
Palmerston North woman Karen Adrian’s son Scott Harris, 37, was one of two Kiwis aboard the Gulf Livestock 1 ship, which sank in the East China Sea on September 1 after being caught in Typhoon Maysak. The Southland man Lochie Bellerby and 41 other crew members were also on board.
Adrian said that when Kiwis are caught in a disaster, the government should get involved.
“My boy is missing, go find him. That’s all I want you to do, go get it.
READ MORE:
* New images of Kiwi missing aboard a cattle boat appear the day before it capsized
* Cattle boat tragedy off Japan involving two Kiwis ‘hits deep’ on experienced operator
* Texts from the captain in the final moments when a capsized cattle boat sailed straight into the eye of the typhoon
“We go into disaster zones all the time: earthquakes, planes fall from the sky. We do not wait to be invited, we offer assistance ”.
Adrian said she wasn’t distressed, she just wanted immediate action.
He had received two telephone calls a day from officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and information channels had been opened in recent days.
Karen Adrian / Supplied
Scott Harris was on his first trip on the Gulf Livestock 1 ship.
An opportunity was missed in good weather Wednesday and Thursday of last week, as well as a gap between two typhoons, Adrian said.
“We should have been there then.”
Adrian said politicians were campaigning rather than working to find survivors. He didn’t want the issue to become politicized, he wanted action.
She was still sure that survivors would be found.
“The only other option, I can’t even go there. Neither did the rest of the extended family. There are many people who love him and are loved by all who know him.
She said the ministry was trying to get her to Japan, but she needed to get a visa, which it would do on Thursday.
Japan Coast Guard
A 30-year-old citizen of the Philippines was the second crew member of the capsized cattle boat Gulf Livestock 1. He is seen to the left of the life raft, waving for help.
Meanwhile, new footage shot by an Australian crew member is understood to show the missing Kiwi Scott Harris aboard Gulf Livestock 1 the day before it capsized and sank.
The footage showed Harris and the Australian crew member watching the water flood the deck, with the Australian saying in a sarcastic tone: “Really safe, really, really safe.”
A ministry spokeswoman said it was a stressful time for the families of New Zealanders on the ship.
The ministry would help families when possible and keep them updated when information became available, but there were many unknown factors and information was scarce, he said.
“It is up to the Japan Coast Guard to lead this search and rescue effort and they are well equipped to carry out this operation.
“They are the experts in this, they put a lot of effort into this operation in very difficult conditions and they know the area.
“New Zealand has not been asked to assist in the search operation. We remain in regular contact with the Coast Guard and will continue to seek updated information on their search and rescue efforts. “
Due to Covid-19 travel restrictions, the ministry advised New Zealanders not to travel abroad.
But in this case, the ministry and its embassy in Tokyo are giving families information about Covid restrictions, flight availability and transit options.
