Qld man feared lost in sinking
The Age
Wednesday December 23, 2009
AN AUSTRALIAN man is among more than 40 people presumed drowned after a ship used for live animal exports sank off the coast of Lebanon.The Danny FII capsized in a storm last Thursday near Tripoli on a voyage from Uruguay to Syria, leaving 43 of its 83 crew dead or missing. The 17,932 cattle and 10,224 sheep in its cargo are presumed to have drowned.The Department of Foreign Affairs said an international search effort was continuing but it held grave fears for a 61-year-old Queensland man believed to be one of six passengers.Forty survivors were plucked from the water in a rescue effort hampered by high seas and floating dead animals.The crew were from the Philippines, Pakistan, Russia and Uruguay, with a British captain.The Danny FII was previously owned by Rachid Fares Industries and used in Australia's controversial live export trade from 1996 until the company went bankrupt in 2004.After it failed to make repairs ordered following an inspection in 2004, the ship's certificate to transport livestock was revoked by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority and it was sold.The vessel was most recently operated by Uruguayan company Agencia Schandy.LiveCorp chief executive Cameron Hall said the Danny FII had not operated in Australia in recent years because it failed to comply with Australia's high standards, which set a global benchmark.Animal welfare groups the RSPCA and Animals Australia said the tragedy highlighted the dangers of the live export trade and added to the annual toll of 40,000 animals that died at sea before reaching their destination.
© 2009 The Age