What we know about missing livestock export ship Gulf Livestock 1
The live export ship that has gone missing and is believed to have capsized, in the East China Sea, has an extraordinary past. We reveal its former names and some of the notable incidents from its history.
THE live-export ship missing and presumed lost off the coast of Japan has somewhat of a interesting history, sources say.
The Gulf Livestock 1 was on a contract voyage from Napier in New Zealand to China with more than 5800 dairy heifers and 43 crew on board on Wednesday morning when it is believed to have capsized in the East China Sea. The vessel, understood to be carrying out an order for Melbourne-based Australasia Global Exports, was travelling in an area affected by Typhoon Maysak at the time.
Only one survivor, a Filipino crewman, has since been found. He reportedly told authorities the ship stalled and capsized after being hit by a powerful wave.
The ship, known as the Cetus J and the Rahmeh before being renamed Gulf Livestock 1 last year, is owned by Middle Eastern company Gulf Navigation Holding and registered in Panama. The 18-year-old former freight vessel was converted into a livestock carrier in 2015.
Sources say the ship had changed hands in a deal believed to have arisen out of a dispute settlement between previous and current owners and had spent a considerable amount of time at anchor in recent years due to alleged disputes and maintenance issues. It is understood to have only started operating again in recent months.
According to maritimebulletin.com in September 2018 the ship, then known as the Rahmeh, was forced to shelter in Turkey due to mechanical problems, sparking concerns among locals “because during her previous voyage with livestock from Brazil to Turkey, some animals were found to be infected with anthrax”.
In May last year, the Australian Maritime Safety Authority identified stability and navigation issues in Gulf Livestock 1 which delayed its departure from Broome to Indonesia. But according to an independent report on the Department of Agriculture’s website, the ship safely completed the journey.
According to myshiptracking.com, the Gulf Livestock 1 was last in Australia in June when it docked in Portland for a day.
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