Disturbing photos have been released showing the last moments of a livestock before it sank in a typhoon off Japan, with the possible loss of 41 seafarers.
The Japan Coast Guard issued two shots taken from inside the Gulf Navigation Holding's 8,400-dwt Gulf Livestock 1 (built 2002) vessel, showing water pouring in through a ceiling as crew tried to deal with the situation.
The seafarers attempted to cover electrical equipment with plastic sheets and other items, as water pooled at their feet.
The main engine eventually failed in Typhoon Maysak last Wednesday and the ship capsized after being hit by a huge wave.
Two men including the Filipino chief officer have been rescued alive, while a third was found unconscious in the sea off the island of Amami Oshima, but later died.
No sign of the vessel or the other Filipinos, Australians and New Zealanders on board has so far been found.
Engine reportedly restarted
In the Philippines, master Dante Addug’s sister told AFP that he had been in touch with his girlfriend shortly before the vessel went down.
"He told her there was an engine failure but they were able to restart it after an hour," Fredelyne Sanchez said.
"But then the big waves worsened and water started coming in."
The other man to survive was a Filipino rating found in a raft on Friday.
The ship was carrying nearly 6,000 cattle from New Zealand to China. New Zealand banned cattle exports as the accident was investigated.
Gulf Livestock 1 had sent a distress call from the west of Amami Oshima island. It was operated by Dubai shipowner Gulf Navigation.
