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MANILA, Philippines – The Japanese coast guard temporarily suspended the search for more than 30 Filipino crew members from the freighter that capsized in southwestern Japan on Wednesday when another typhoon rushed into Japan’s Kagoshima prefecture, the Department of Foreign Relations said Saturday ( DFA). .
Typhoon “Haishen”, known locally as Typhoon “10”, was expected to hit the vicinity of Amami Oshima Island in Kagoshima on Saturday, causing the suspension of rescue operations, the DFA said, citing reports from the Philippine embassy in Tokyo and the Philippine consulate. general in Osaka.
Japanese rescuers had already found three of the ship’s crew, including two Filipinos and another crew member of unannounced nationality. The crew consisted of 39 Filipinos, two New Zealanders and two Australians.
The first to be rescued was the vessel’s Philippine chief officer, Eduardo Sareno, 45, who was found at sea by the coast guard and rescued Wednesday night. The second was found alive but unconscious near Amami Oshima on Friday morning, but the sailor died later.
The third crew member to be rescued was 30-year-old deckhand Jay-Nel Rosales, who was found Friday afternoon by a search plane while calling for help on a life raft about two kilometers from the island of Kodakara.
Rescuers also found an overturned orange lifeboat floating in the sea about 4 km from Kodakarajima, but found no one in that boat.
The DFA said the two rescued Filipinos had already been in contact with their families.
Japanese maritime authorities said the missing sailors were aboard the Panamanian-flagged Gulf Livestock 1, which was caught in rough seas and sent calls for help early Wednesday when a previous storm, Typhoon “Maysak” (Typhoon 9) struck the southern Japan.
After his rescue, Sareno told authorities that the ship’s main engine failed before the ship was hit by a large wave and capsized. He said the crew had put on their life jackets and they all jumped into the water.
INSURANCE Eduardo Sareno, chief officer of the capsized Gulf Livestock 1, is detained by elements of the 10th Regional Coast Guard of Japan before being interviewed aboard the Japanese rescue ship. – AP
The ship, which was carrying 5,867 live cows, set sail on August 14 from Napier, New Zealand, and headed for the Chinese port city of Tangshan. The freighter was owned by Gulf Navigation Holding based in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
“Our hearts go out to those on board and their families at this time. We also express our deep regret for the sad loss of the livestock on board. We are monitoring the situation closely and working closely with those involved in rescue efforts. We pray for other survivors, ”the company said Thursday in a statement posted on its website.
The DFA said that the Philippine Overseas Labor Office and Consulate continue to monitor the situation and coordinate with the Japanese Coast Guard, the shipowner and the manning agency to provide all appropriate support to the Philippine seafarers and their families. .
Various maritime reports recorded over the past two years showed that the ship may have had some mechanical defects and revealed operational problems.
A December inspection report by Indonesian authorities on the Equasis website, which collects ship safety information from public and private sources, recorded problems with the ship’s propulsion and auxiliary machinery.
Problems included “deficiencies” with the main propulsion engine, gauges and thermometers.
A 2019 Australian government report on the June cattle boat transit from Australia to Indonesia noted that the boat’s departure was delayed for a week due to “stability and navigation issues identified by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority.”
The Japanese coast guard said on Friday it had not set a deadline for completing the search for survivors.
Four boats, an airplane and several divers were navigating the waters on Friday when they discovered the second crew member, who has not been publicly identified.
—With a Reuters report
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