Kiwi man Lochie Bellerby, along with the crew of Gulf Livestock 1 are believed to be aboard a life boat, missing outside the search area.
Nationwide
On September 2nd at 1.40am the ship Gulf Livestock 1 sent a distress call from 180km west of the Amami Oshima Islands in south-western Japan. They were hit by Typhoon Maysak and then slowly sunk. Lochie Bellerby was one of two New Zealanders onboard, along with Scott Harris and Australians William Mainprize and Lukas Orda and 39 Filipino crew. The ship was carrying 5800 cows and left New Zealand, bound for Tangshan, China.
After Typhoon Maysak passed, the Japanese Coastguard searched the area with boats and planes, they found 3 people, 2 survivors and 1 deceased. The second survivor which was found in a life raft was spotted 2km from land by island locals, well outside of the original search zone and then picked up by the Japanese coast guard. An empty life boat was also found. Soon after,the search was suspended due to a second typhoon. After its passing, the Japanese Coastguard scaled down the search and then it was officially called off.
Why we are still hopeful:
Reports have emerged from the found survivors that all but three crew members were on the ships bridge prior to the boat sinking and were preparing to board the life vessels. All life vessels hold 20-30 people and include enough food and water rations for 30 days.
Throughout this, the New Zealand Government has failed to act to resume the search which we believe was prematurely called off.
This page is setup by those who know and love Lochie, to support the Bellerby family in their efforts to bring him and the rest of the crew home.The funds raised will be pooled with that raised by the Australians involves (Gofundme) to continue to help the private search efforts, whether that be by satellite and drone surveillance technology, chartered search and rescue devices, media awareness campaigns and search incentives.People have survived 41 days on a life raft in this very area before.
Lochie is a legend, loved by many.He is extremely capable, adventurous and without a doubt possesses the character needed to not only get through this but to help pull others through.
Family friends.
Money raised on this page goes directly to family to fund on going search efforts to bring all crew members home.
Update and heartfelt thanks 6 December 2020
After a few weeks of silence, and as we struggle to come to terms with the reality of the situation, we would like to give you an update on the status of the search.
Today, Sunday December 6 marks 95 days since Gulf Livestock 1 sank, and Lochie went missing. The last of our private air searches took place from October 26 until October 29, and covered the remaining islands in the Amami and Tokara Island groups, as well as the Izu Island’s, which at that stage also fell within the drift model.
Our last satellite pass over was on October 22nd. Nothing of significance was found in these searches and unfortunately, we reached a point where there was nothing more we could do. The outcome obviously has not been one that we were all hoping for.
For those of you who rallied behind us, as we fought to continue to search for Lochie - believing that something incredible could happen, we owe you our utmost thanks. The huge amount of money that was raised for the search is a reflection of the care and love that everybody had for Lochie and us as a family. And for those of you who donated, yet didn’t know Lochie or us personally, thank you for joining us in hope, as we navigated through this seemingly impossible storm. Without this financial support, we would not have been able to search for as long as we did, or allow us to do all that we were able to.
Mention must be made to Charlie and Harry, and the other friends and family of Australian Will Mainprize, who stood with us and coordinated the on the ground logistics of the private search out of Japan. While we faced many major obstacles, we have been overwhelmed at the support given by private individuals and organisations who donated their expertise and time to assist us in our efforts.
Once again, we thank you for your incredible generosity and kindness shown throughout this extremely challenging time.
With thanks,
The Bellerby Family
Many thanks for your support Jenny T Gisborne
Thank you for your thoughts and will pass onto Guy. Your donation is very much appreciated. Jenny T Gisborne
Heartfelt thanks. Jenny T Gisborne
Many thanks Jane and Geoff. Will pass on your thoughts and support. Jenny T Gisborne
Heartfelt thanks Jenny T Gisborne
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