Bulletin: Update No. 2: On the Missing Panamanian-flagged Vessel in Japan

PASAY CITY 04 September 2020 — The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), through the Philippine Embassy in Tokyo and the Philippine Consulate General in Osaka, reports that the Filipino crew member rescued by the Japanese Coast Guard yesterday is currently recovering in the hospital and is reported to be in good health. He will be repatriated to the Philippines once COVID protocols are cleared.

This morning, an unidentified person was found floating face down. It was later reported that the person was wearing a blue jacket with the label “FITTER”. Proper identification is still being conducted.

Japanese Coast Guard vessels and planes continue their search for crew members of the Panamanian-flagged Gulf Livestock 1. An incoming storm is forecast to hit the search area by the evening of 05 September 2020, that will affect search operations.

The Philippine Embassy in Tokyo, the Philippine Consulate General in Osaka and the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) are coordinating with the manning agency, ship owner as well as the Japanese Coast Guard to extend all appropriate assistance for the Filipino seafarers and their families.

The Philippine Government is grateful to the Japanese Coast Guard carrying out the search for the crew members of the Gulf Livestock 1. The DFA remains hopeful that the other Filipino seafarers will soon be found.

Our hearts go out to the families of the seafarers at this time and we wish to respect their privacy. END