Family of missing cattle ship crew pleads for Australia to join search
Some of Australia’s most well known influencers and celebrities are backing calls for Australia to join the search for survivors from missing live export ship Gulf Livestock 1.
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Some of Australia’s most well known influencers and celebrities are backing calls for Australia to join the search for survivors from missing live export ship Gulf Livestock 1.
The vessel sank in heavy seas churned by Typhoon Maysak in the East China Sea on September 2 but the search has been all but abandoned with a lifeboat and four life rafts stocked with provisions remaining unaccounted for.
A GoFundMe page, launched by families of missing crew, including Australians Will Mainprize and Lukas Orda, has raised almost $30,000 to support with search efforts, while a Change.org petition, has generated more than 54,000 signatures calling on the Australian Government to carry on the search for survivors.
The celebrities, athletes, musicians and influencers who have put their efforts behind the cause include Russell Crowe, Mick Fanning, Johnathan Thurston, Kelly Slater, Steph Claire Smith, Sammy Robinson, Gang of Youths and DMA’s
The family of missing Australian stockman, William Mainprize, have issued an urgent plea for the Australian and Japanese governments to co-operate on efforts to save missing crew.
They say there are good reasons to believe some crew have survived given their resources, preparation time and experience.
Reports have emerged that all but three crew members were on the ship’s bridge before the boat sank, preparing to board life vessels.
Japanese Coast Guard has found two survivors and one body, along with one lifeboat and two life rafts but 40 crew, one lifeboat and four auto-deployed life rafts remain unaccounted for.
All four life rafts fit up to 20 people and have food rations and water to last 30 days.
The family and friends of Will Mainprize still remain very hopeful he is in one of these rafts.
“Will has got so much survival experience. I am sure he is leading the survival efforts of the whole crew,” friend Tom Suttor said.
Mainprize is a wilderness guide in Australia’s harshest environments, taking tour groups of up to 15 people through Tasmania and the Northern Territory.
He has extensive solo adventure experience, cycling independently through the Middle East and remote regions of Mongolia.
Mr Suttor, family and friends have praised the efforts of the Japanese authorities to date and are calling for further assistance given the prospect that crew members remain alive.
With over 50,000 signatures on the petition (change.org/findmymate), the Australian government is being asked to use the strong diplomatic relationship between Australia and Japan to join forces and continue the search.
A joint statement between Australia’s Foreign Affairs Minister and Deputy Prime Minister stated: “Australia is encouraging Japan’s ongoing air and sea efforts, and continues to offer the Japanese authorities any supporting capability needed”.
Family and friends of the remaining crew are desperately pleading for the Japanese Government to accept the offer.
Will’s older brother, Tom Mainprize said: “Everyone’s referring to this as a tragedy but we’ve got every chance to turn it around into this awesome story of hope and survival”.
Originally published as Family of missing cattle ship crew pleads for Australia to join search
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