The families of two Australians on board a livestock ship that capsized in the East China Sea continue to wait for answers, as Japanese authorities confirm a survivor from the disaster has died in hospital.
Queensland vet and father-of-one Lukas Orda and an Australian stockhandler, whose identity is yet to be confirmed, were among 43 people on board the Jordanian vessel Gulf Livestock 1 en route to China from New Zealand.
Two survivors have so far been found but Japanese media, citing the nation's coastguard, said the second man had died in hospital.
A life jacket and cattle carcass were also collected from the same area, the coastguard said, and the search was continuing for 41 other crew members.
Three vessels, one aeroplane and two divers were taking part in the search for the Gulf Livestock 1, which went missing on Wednesday after it sent a distress call as Typhoon Maysak lashed the area with strong winds and heavy seas.
The crew of 43 was made up of 39 people from the Philippines, two from Australia and two from New Zealand.
UAE-based Gulf Navigation issued a statement saying the Panamanian-flagged Gulf Livestock 1 was their vessel.
"Our hearts go out to those onboard and their families at this time," a Gulf Navigation spokesman said.
"We also express deep regret for the sad loss of the livestock on board. We are monitoring the situation closely and working closely with those involved in rescue efforts. We pray that there are other survivors."
The ship, with a cargo of nearly 6000 cows, sent a distress call from the west of Amami Oshima island in southwestern Japan on Wednesday as Typhoon Maysak lashed the area with strong winds and heavy seas.
A Filipino crewmember of a Panamanian cargo ship is rescued by Japanese Coast Guard members in the waters off the Amami Oshima Source: The 10th Regional Japan Coast Guard Headquarters
Sareno Edvarodo, a 45-year-old chief officer from the Philippines, was rescued on Wednesday night, Japan's coastguard said.
According to Mr Edvarodo, the vessel lost an engine before it was hit by a wave and capsized, a coastguard spokeswoman said.
When the ship capsized, crew were instructed to put on life jackets. Mr Edvarodo said he jumped into the water and did not see any other crew before he was rescued.
'Please come home soon'
One of the two Australians feared lost at sea has been identified by family as Queensland vet Lukas Orda.
Originally from Mount Isa, Mr Orda studied at James Cook University and previously worked as an equine vet on the Gold Coast.
His wife, Emma, posted an emotional plea on her Facebook page.
"Please come home really soon we love you," she wrote, sharing a picture of the couple.
The couple were married in November last year and welcomed their first child in February.
Mr Orda's most recent public Facebook post is dated 24 June, outlining his planned journey onboard the vessel to Yantai, China.
Lukas Orda, 25, is one of two Australians believed to be missing. Source: Facebook
"And the first 20 day stretch of my trip starts....." he wrote in anticipation.
The second Australian is believed to be a stockhandler, whose identity has not yet been confirmed.
The Department of Foreign Affairs has confirmed the families of both Australians are receiving consular assistance.
