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Find Lochie and Gulf Livestock 1 crew.

  • 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

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  • Sunday 11th October.

      11 October 2020

    39 days since Gulf Livestock 1 sent a distress call. 58 days since Lochie departed New Zealand on the vessel bound for China.

    Thank you so so much to everyone who has donated to the private search efforts so far, helicopters and planes would not have been up in the air without you.

    "The Bellerby family are hopeful of there being signs of life following the sighting of significant debris thought to be from Gulf Livestock 1. It includes a canopy of a Viking life-raft, a life ring, a single blue boot, several deceased cows, and three orange barrels strapped together.

    The debris were found following a privately funded search of the Tokara Islands, a chain of 12 small islands of which seven are inhabited. To-date this has cost A$50,000 spent on fixed wing planes, and A$75,000 on helicopters. The Bellerby family are contributing funds to this search and wish to thank the generous people of New Zealand and around the world, who have donated funds to the New Zealand Givealittle page setup.

    Search by satellite continues. The next privately-funded aircraft search will be around the Amami Islands by helicopter this weekend, weather permitting.

    The families are working with maritime experts to further identify the items and other potential areas of interest.

    This critical information has been passed on to the Japanese Coast Guard by both New Zealand and Australian authorities. The Bellerby family are calling on the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs for official diplomatic support with the Japanese Coast Guard while the window of survivability remains possible."

    Once again we thank everyone for the amazing amount of support and contributions so far, in the search for Lochie and the other missing crew. Without your generosity none of this would have been possible.

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  • Time needed to access search.

      25 September 2020

    It is with much gratitude that the family acknowledge the generous donations made to assist with private search efforts to help bring Lochie and the other missing crew of Gulf Livestock 1 home.

    The family are now waiting for the satellite data to be analysed. They are still trying to explore possibilities for other search options but progress is difficult to achieve given the significant political, geographical, COVID-19, and technological barriers that have grounded any potential private air search to date. Not assisting the situation is a ever growing search area and the ongoing typhoon season.

    Given the situation faced, where feasible options are growing ever smaller, the family is no longer asking for donations. While they are not giving up on the search, they hope you all understand the extremely challenging situation they are in.

    The family wish to express their heartfelt gratitude for all your donations, and other offers of assistance in this incredibly difficult time.

    The family will continue to provide further updates on the search efforts and expenditure in the days to come.

    Thanks again, the Bellerby Family

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  • Private search progress with use of satellite data.

      20 September 2020
    Main image

    The search is progressing with new satellite imagery coming through to be analysed regularly. This operation is made possible with expert advice from marine forecasters, oceanographers and satellite experts to help concentrate on possible search areas. This information is then collected and passed onto the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Maritime New Zealand, who pass it onto the Japanese Coast Guard. The families involved with crew on board Gulf Livestock 1 are looking at further options of putting a specialist aircraft and personnel up in the air to aid with this search.

    Data from the satellite passes are currently being viewed.

    It is with much gratitude that the family acknowledge the generous donations made to help us with the goal of bringing home the 40 men lost at sea.

    On behalf of the family we will continue to keep you updated

    Jenny T Gisborne

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  • Satellites in action

      18 September 2020

    A quick update to let all those who have supported this private search to find the missing crew off Gulf Livestock 1, that a satellite has been deployed with two sweeps to date with another happening today.

    A big thankyou to those that have supported the families efforts to bring these men home.

    As you can appreciate, their time is spent on the front line helping co-ordinate the search, therefore as a family friend I am helping manage this page.

    Jenny T Gisborne

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