Rescued crewman dies, records reveal defects with cattle ship sunk off Japan

[snoop1130]

Rescued crewman dies, records reveal defects with cattle ship sunk off Japan

By Tetsushi Kajimoto and Roslan Khasawneh

 

A Filipino crew member from the missing livestock ship, Gulf Livestock 1, is seen after being rescued by the Japan Coast Guard off the coast of Japan, in this still image taken from video September 2, 2020 and provided by Japan Coast Guard. Video taken September 2, 2020. JAPAN COAST GUARD, 10TH REGIONAL COAST GUARD HEADQUARTERS/Handout via REUTERS TV

 

TOKYO/SINGAPORE (Reuters) - A crewman from a cattle ship that capsized enroute from New Zealand to China has died after being pulled unconscious from water by the Japanese coastguard on Friday, while it emerged the vessel had a history of mechanical issues.

 

The unidentified man was only the second crewman to be found. The search is still on for the remaining 41 crew members after the ship carrying 6,000 cattle capsized in the East China Sea on Wednesday.

 

Rescuers also found a life jacket and cattle carcasses in the area where the Gulf Livestock 1 is believed to have sunk after it sent a distress call amid strong winds and heavy seas whipped up by Typhoon Maysak.

 

Gulf Livestock 1, owned by UAE-based Gulf Navigation, lost engine power before it was hit by a massive wave, according to Chief Officer Sareno Edvarodo, who was rescued on Wednesday.

 

The ship is technically managed and crewed by Germany's Marconsult Schiffarht GMBH, while the commercial manager is Jordan-based Hijazi & Ghosheh Co.

 

"We are monitoring the situation closely," a spokesman for Gulf Navigation said in an emailed statement. "Our hearts go out to those onboard and their families at this time."

 

The company is working with those involved in rescue efforts and regrets the loss of livestock, he added.

 

Several maritime reports logged over the past two years showed the ship may have had some mechanical defects and revealed operational concerns.

 

A December inspection report from Indonesian authorities on the website of Equasis, which collates ship safety information from both public and private sources, logged issues with the ship's propulsion and auxiliary machinery.

 

The issues included "deficiencies" with the propulsion main engine and gauges, thermometers.

 

A 2019 report by the Australian government on the cattle ship's transit in June from Australia to Indonesia noted the vessel's departure was delayed for a week because of "stability and navigation issues identified by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA)".

 

AMSA's website showed Gulf Livestock 1 was detained by the Australian authorities for three days in May 2019, because of issues related to its navigation Electronic Chart Display and Information System. The report cited both a lack of up-to-date charts and training for officers using the system.

 

A report on the website of FleetMon, a German-based maritime tracking site, shows the ship, under its previous name of Rahmeh, anchored off the Turkish coast in September 2018 "to fix a mechanical problem" that required the delivery of spare parts.

 

The FleetMon report also noted some concern from local residents about the ship's extended stay at Cesme port, because livestock on a previous voyage had been found to be infected with anthrax.

 

Gulf Navigation, Marconsult Schiffarht and Hijazi & Ghosheh Co. did not immediately respond to questions about the reports.

 

SEARCH CONTINUES

 

The Japanese coastguard said on Friday it had not set a deadline to end the search for survivors from the ship, which left Napier port in New Zealand on Aug. 14 and was due to arrive 17 days later at the Port of Jingtang in Tangshan, China.

 

Four vessels, an airplane and several divers were scouring the waters on Friday when they discovered the second crew member, who has not been publicly identified.

 

The coastguard said the man had died a short time after they pulled him from the sea about 120 km (75 miles) north-northwest of Amami Oshima island and transferred him to hospital.

 

Melbourne-based Australasian Global Exports confirmed it employed four of the people onboard, with the remaining crew engaged by Gulf Navigation.

 

"We are in full contact with the families of our four colleagues and are offering them all the support we can," it said in a statement.

 

The crew was made up of 39 people from the Philippines, two from New Zealand, and two from Australia, the coastguard said.

 

Edvarodo, the 45-year-old Filipino crew member rescued on Wednesday, remains in hospital.

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2020-09-04

 

- Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you

- Follow Thaivisa on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

[steven100]

14 minutes ago, snoop1130 said:

6,000 cattle

sharks and whales will have a feast .... 

[Tug]

They found another survivor in a raft poor sobs sounds like a real pos tub they were sailing on

[Geoffggi]

Do these vessels not require a Marine Warranty Surveyor's certification that normally includes stability checks ........??

[nauseus]

4 hours ago, Geoffggi said:

Do these vessels not require a Marine Warranty Surveyor's certification that normally includes stability checks ........??

Several certificates, including stability tests. However, a loss of power, hence steerage, coincident with a strong typhoon could be too much for many vessels. Very sad, in any case.

[Donga]

1 hour ago, nauseus said:

Several certificates, including stability tests. However, a loss of power, hence steerage, coincident with a strong typhoon could be too much for many vessels. Very sad, in any case.

Such a big vessel. As a layman, who's been through a few big Asian and Pacific storms, wouldn't have thought a ship that size be so troubled in a typhoon. But guess I don't understand how vicious they can be. Very sad for humans and animals alike. 

Edited September 5, 2020 by Donga

[jak2002003]

What he heck are they transporting all those live cows that great distance for? Don't they have cows in China?

 

I would have thought they slaughtered the cows in NZ and transported them that way. 

 

[Bluespunk]

21 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

We are monitoring the situation closely," a spokesman for Gulf Navigation said in an emailed statement. "Our hearts go out to those onboard and their families at this time."

 

The company is working with those involved in rescue efforts and regrets the loss of livestock, he added.

I find only one of those statements credible...

Edited September 5, 2020 by Bluespunk

[nauseus]

1 hour ago, Donga said:

Such a big vessel. As a layman, who's been through a few big Asian and Pacific storms, wouldn't have thought a ship that size be so troubled in a typhoon. But guess I don't understand how vicious they can be. Very sad for humans and animals alike. 

Not so huge by today's standards and as the Gulf Livestock 1 name implies, it carries live animals. With the loss of power and manoeuvrability, unfortunately, the ship probably broached broadside to huge seas and could have easily capsized, especially if the cargo shifted. 

Edited September 5, 2020 by nauseus

[nauseus]

59 minutes ago, jak2002003 said:

What he heck are they transporting all those live cows that great distance for? Don't they have cows in China?

 

I would have thought they slaughtered the cows in NZ and transported them that way. 

 

Would have been better for the cows but they could have been for dairy.

[gomangosteen]

1 hour ago, jak2002003 said:

What he heck are they transporting all those live cows that great distance for? Don't they have cows in China?

 

I would have thought they slaughtered the cows in NZ and transported them that way. 

 

Quote

Why were 6000 cattle at sea?

Live animal exports bring in around $300 million a year and are an important part of our trading economy, as well as a source of income for rural communities, according to the Ministry for Primary Industries.

.

For the countries receiving our livestock, New Zealand represents quality and the animals are sought-after for breeding. Exports of cattle, sheep, goats and deer for slaughter are banned.

 

The Gulf Livestock 1, seen here coming into Napier Port, departed Napier on August 14 2020

 

 

Edited September 5, 2020 by gomangosteen

[fxe1200]

2 hours ago, jak2002003 said:

What he heck are they transporting all those live cows that great distance for? Don't they have cows in China?

 

I would have thought they slaughtered the cows in NZ and transported them that way. 

 

This is animal torture, and nothing less, transporting cattle over the seas. That should be banned worldwide. I am surprised that NZ still allows it.

[nauseus]

54 minutes ago, fxe1200 said:

This is animal torture, and nothing less, transporting cattle over the seas. That should be banned worldwide. I am surprised that NZ still allows it.

The Chinese have been buying dairy cows from NZ for years and I assume that this was the reason for this livestock shipment. 

[holy cow cm]

2 hours ago, gomangosteen said:

 

The Gulf Livestock 1, seen here coming into Napier Port, departed Napier on August 14 2020

 

 

What a rust bucket. In a storm must be terrible to hear all those cows crying. Sad. 

[tyga]

Best if everybody were vegan and this is another reason why...

 

[jak2002003]

56 minutes ago, nauseus said:

The Chinese have been buying dairy cows from NZ for years and I assume that this was the reason for this livestock shipment. 

I doubt they wanted 6000 dairy cows for their milk or breeding them, especially if they have been importing then for years. 

 

I think NZ knows they are going to be slaughtered even they they ban that. Money talks. The Chinese might want them live...they seem to enjoy their animals fresh. The country not know for their ethical treatment of food animals. 

[nauseus]

45 minutes ago, jak2002003 said:

I doubt they wanted 6000 dairy cows for their milk or breeding them, especially if they have been importing then for years. 

 

I think NZ knows they are going to be slaughtered even they they ban that. Money talks. The Chinese might want them live...they seem to enjoy their animals fresh. The country not know for their ethical treatment of food animals. 

Milk is big business in China. Dairy herd replenishment would be necessary every so often. I don't know if the cargo was beef or dairy but I would bet on diary. Speculate away if you like but if you can separate your posts from mine that would be appreciated.

 

Edited September 5, 2020 by nauseus

[holy cow cm]

1 hour ago, tyga said:

Best if everybody were vegan and this is another reason why...

 

Why? Don't you think the fish will eat the cows? 

[gomangosteen]

Backstroke?

 

 

New Zealand Suspends Live Cattle Exports After Ship Capsized Off Japan

Animal rights activists said the move did not go far enough. The carcasses of dozens of cows have been spotted in the water, and most of the crew of 43 is feared dead.

Edited September 8, 2020 by gomangosteen

[sirocco]

Then she surfed