International media are reporting that China, South Korea and Taiwan have agreed to assist with the search for the 40 missing crewmen who were aboard the vessel Gulf Livestock 1.
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CNN has reported that the three countries agreed to the Philippines' request for help in the search for missing seafarers of Gulf Livestock 1.
Forty seafarers are still missing from waters off the coast of Japan when the ship sank in a typhoon three weeks ago with 36 from the Philippines, two from New Zealand and two from Australia including vet Lukas Orda from Mount Isa.
According to CNN Philippines Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III said Wednesday he conveyed the request of families of the 36 Filipinos still missing at sea.
"I wrote them and asked for their help and they willingly agreed to help even before you asked for it," Bello said. "We're doing it already so help is not a problem in search and rescue operations."
The vessel disappeared on September 2 in Japanese waters at the height of Typhoon Maysak. A second typhoon interrupted the search and Japanese authorities called off the search a week later.
The Japanese coast guard rescued three Filipino crew members, but one later died.
The Philippine government said it would not send its own coast guard due to the area's logistical concerns and unfamiliarity in the search area, which is in the Japanese area of responsibility.
Family members including Lukas Orda's wife had pleaded with authorities to resume the search on the basis that four lifeboats were still unaccounted for.
Lukas Orda's father Ulrich said they were advised on September 7 about information known to one of the survivors.
"Before the accident happened everyone was wearing life jackets and the captain called everyone to go to the bridge to enter the lifeboats," he said. "Three crew did not reach the bridge and were washed overboard. When a big wave hit the ship, it was pushed onto its side and a second survivor was washed off and the lifeboats went off."
Mr Orda said given this information the search should not have been called off and crew members were still potential alive out at sea.
The new Japanese prime minister has assured Australia the search will continue.
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