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Chilling text messages from an Australian crew member on Gulf Livestock 1 have revealed conditions aboard the missing cattle boat in the final moments before it capsized.
Australian cattleman and crew member William Mainprize texted his friend Tom Suttorr about four hours before the ship’s emergency call, saying conditions were “pretty tough.”
“We are in the middle of a typhoon and the engine control room is taking in water. The engine is off and we are floating sideways in a huge sea. Big fucking swell, pretty hard, ”the texts said.
“When you say we’re floating sideways, you mean the boat is parallel to the waves that are hitting them,” Suttorr said. “So most of the boat is getting hit by the waves, you know, and that’s a really bad position to be in.”
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“I didn’t answer that, because I thought it was another day at sea and I was in bed.”
Suttorr said Mainprize is a “pretty proud guy” and wasn’t sure if his final text messages were him asking for advice.
The day before the text messages, Mainprize sent Suttorr a video of the water flooding the deck of the ship, which featured Kiwi Scott Harris.
The ship’s captain’s emergency signal wasn’t issued until four hours after Suttor received the last text message from Mainprize, a timeline that he says is “a little tricky.” “I can’t really comment because I’m not the captain, but the timeline of things doesn’t add up.”
Suttor, along with the Mainprize families and the other missing crew member, Lukas Orda, are pushing for the Australian government to provide assistance to continue the search operation, which has been canceled.
RNZ
The Japanese Coast Guard canceled its full-time search for Gulf Livestock 1, the live export ship that disappeared in a typhoon in the East China Sea.
It comes after Orda’s family revealed that the Australian Consular Emergency Center told them that the second Filipino survivor reported that the entire crew was ready to board lifeboats and rafts before the ship capsized.
“We know that the crew was about to board a life raft of some description and that they were not all in bed.”
“There are two lifeboats and five life rafts on that ship. They have found a lifeboat and two rafts. There is a lifeboat and three life rafts found in this area. We know the crew was ready to board the lifeboats and we have not found the boats. So this call is to see if our government can allocate some resources to the Japanese Coast Guard, ”Suttorr said.
In his work as a rancher, Suttorr said that Mainprize is extremely professional, thorough and paid meticulous attention to detail. He also worked as a nature tour guide in Tasmania and Australia.
“He’s trained in” all survival scenarios … If I were in that situation, he’s the only person I’d want on my side, in the lifeboat, for sure. “
The Australian Maritime Safety Authority told Suttor that Australia is not required to assist a Panamanian ship in foreign waters, which, according to him, is an “escape”.
“This idea of not being obliged to help our compatriots, our citizens, I think is a bit far-fetched, and we should do everything possible to save citizens who are in a life-threatening situation.
Japan Coast Guard
A 30-year-old Filipino citizen was the second crew member found alive on the capsized cattle boat Gulf Livestock 1. He is seen to the left of the life raft calling for help.
While the restart of the search and rescue operation was of great importance, Suttorr, who was a warehouseman on ships for seven years, would like to see an investigation into what happened to the ship in its last days, in particular why it continued on. the way he did.
The day before the ship capsized, Mainprize sent Suttorr a map of the ship’s course. “It looked like it was going straight into the eye of the typhoon. I don’t understand why you chose that course.
“I know I am not a maritime specialist. Now, I’ve never planned a sailing route before, and I certainly don’t think I can comment on why you would choose that course … but to me, it’s common sense to avoid something like that, you know. “
Suttor said maritime news websites reported that all other ships in the area had changed course due to the typhoon.
Supplied
Scott Harris, left, and Lochie Bellerby were aboard Gulf Livestock 1 when it sank.
A petition created by Orda’s parents to continue the search has received more than 4,300 signatures.
A second petition, which includes photos of the two missing Australians, has garnered more than 10,000 signatures.
Orda’s parents state that “it is extremely worrying” that the search has been suspended, given the information provided by the second survivor, “as this provided evidence that it was unlikely that people would be trapped on the ship and that they could still to be floating in the ocean waiting to be rescued. ” .
10th Regional Headquarters of the Coast Guard of Japan / AP
The first crew member found last week was floating in the ocean wearing a life jacket.
“Currently there have been no sightings of any other corpse of the 40 remaining crew, 4 life rafts and 1 lifeboat, which have not yet been found counted … I ask you where are the remaining boats? Therefore, there is a strong possibility that at least some of the crew members, including Lukas and William, were turned into a lifeboat or raft, ”the petition says.
Two Kiwis are among those still missing: Arrowtown, 37, the father of two Harris, and Lochie Bellerby, from Southland, in her 20s.
The Gulf Livestock 1 left Napier in mid-August and was traveling to the east coast of China with 43 crew on board and 5,800 cows. The 140-meter-long ship reportedly sank after losing an engine due to bad weather from Typhoon Maysak on 2 September.
A spokesperson for Maritime New Zealand said on Thursday that they had been in close communication with the Japanese authorities leading the search and rescue response, and were offering support or information if necessary.
Suttor described his friend as an “inspiring guy.”
“Whatever he wants to do, he does it, and nothing is too ridiculous for it.
“[We] I want him to come back “.
Graham Flett / AP
The cattle boat was carrying 43 crew members and 5,800 cows.
