No answers for families of William Mainprize, Lukas Ordas

Two years on from the Gulf Livestock 1 sinking and the official investigation hasn’t provided any answers from the “nightmare”.

Two years after the tragic sinking of the Gulf Livestock 1, there have been no conclusive answers provided to the families of the two Australians who died.

This Friday marks two years since the Panama-registered Gulf Livestock 1, owned by UAE-based company Gulf Navigation Holdings and on a contract voyage for the Melbourne-based Australasian Global Exports with 5800 dairy heifers and 43 crew on board, was lost at sea near Japan’s Amami Oshima ­Island.

A Filipino crewman was the only survivor and the ship has not been located. Among those missing are Australians William Mainprize, who was a stockperson on the vessel, and Queensland veterinarian Lukas Orda.

Lukas Orda, missing with the live cattle ship Gulf Livestock 1. Picture: Facebook

William Mainprize’s older sister Sarah Mainprize told The Weekly Times this week, two years on, it all still felt very raw.

“William was the youngest member of our family, and to have him be involved in such a tragic incident with only a presumption to answer what happened to him is extremely painful. It all still feels like a nasty nightmare,” Ms Mainprize said.

The family is still in limbo with no conclusive answers from the investigation. Under international protocols investigations into accidents on the high seas fall to the vessel’s flag state, which is the Panama Maritime Authority.

“We still haven’t had any death certificate processed, no funeral or service and no closure of any kind,” Ms Mainprize said.

Australian stockman William Mainprize is one of the crew missing from live cattle export ship Gulf Livestock 1.

While she said they had received a final report from the Panama investigation it wasn’t “conclusive” and “didn’t say much”.

“There has been no outcomes provided as of yet, we understand the whole process to be very complicated. It has been difficult to navigate and understand what actually happened and why.”

An Australian government spokesman said they were “aware the final report has been provided to the Australian next of kin, consistent with international protocols. PMA has advised their final report will be published on the International Maritime Organisation website in the near future”.

While Ms Mainprize said there had been “some support” from the Australian government, it was “nothing like what you’d expect from a government such as ours. Navigating the situation has been difficult and frustrating”.

Lukas Orda’s father, Ulrich Orda from Mt Isa in Queensland, has also been navigating red tape and a lack of support from the Australian government.

“The Australian government says they are doing everything, but that is not true. They have not been a help to us at all,” Dr Orda said.

“As Australian citizens you would hope they want to look after us, but nothing has been done so far,” he said.

While the Ordas have also been provided a final report from Panama, they agree it “says nothing”.

Dr Orda said the report didn’t cover details about the storm or why the ship continued to sail into it.

Two years on Dr Orda said they were “still looking and waiting for answers”.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade spokesman said they continued to provide consular assistance to the families, and would continue to do so for as long as required.