Gold Coast vet on board missing live cattle export Gulf Livestock 1, fears ship caught in Typhoon Maysak
The wife of a Gold Coast veterinarian missing after the cattle export ship he was on sank in the East China Sea has made an emotional plea for her husband to “come home soon”.
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The wife of a Gold Coast veterinarian missing after the cattle export ship he was on sank in the East China Sea has made an emotional plea for her husband to “come home soon”.
The Gulf Livestock 1 ship was carrying about 5800 head of cattle and 43 crew, including two Australians, when it was reported missing in a typhoon off southwestern Japan.
Among them is Gold Coast vet Lukas Orda who studied at James Cook University in Townsville before working at the Gold Coast Equine Clinic in Bundall from February, 2019, to June, 2020.
He left to clinic to joining the cattle export ship as a veterinary officer. He is married with a six-month-old son.
Mr Orda’s wife Emma on Thursday night made an emotional post on social media.
“Please come home really soon we love you,” the post read on a picture of the two of them.
The couple wed in November 2019 and welcomed a son in March.
Japan’s coast guard is searching for the carrier after receiving a distress call from the vessel about 1.20am on Wednesday.
Concerned friends posting to Mr Orda’s Facebook page were hoping for a miracle.
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One wrote: “Hey Lukas, wherever you are … be a miracle and get yourself found.”
Another posted: “Prayers you are found safe Lukas. The whole of the Gold Coast is praying for you tonight.”
Mr Orda had posted on his departure on June 24, from Portland, Victoria noting he was en route to Yantai, China: “And the first 20 day stretch of my trip starts.”
A Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade spokesman said the Australian Government was providing consular assistance to the families of the two Australian crew members.
Strong winds and torrential rain from Typhoon Maysak have been said to have hampered rescue efforts.
So far authorities report they have found one lifeboat and a Filipino crew member who was alive, wearing a life vest drifting in the waters.
The welfare of the rest of those on board remains unknown, according to a report by RNZ.
The rescued crew member told rescuers the ship, Gulf Livestock 1, had suffered engine failure during the typhoon, before it capsized after being hit by a freak wave.
The carrier left the New Zealand port of Napier on August 13 with 5800 cattle on board and was due to arrive at the Port of Jingtang in Tangshan, China, on September 3.
Before its voyage from New Zealand, it had docked in Gladstone.
Maritime reports suggest the ship’s track had it heading into the path Typhoon Maysak and it might have been caught in the centre of the typhoon.
It is believed to have fallen victim to the full force of the storm’s fury with winds of up to 240 km/h.
Mr Orda also worked at Goulburn Valley Equine Hospital before moving to the Gold Coast.
He started his career in North Queensland where he grew up after moving with his family to Australia from Germany.
He went to the Good Shepherd Catholic College in Mount Isa.
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