Southland man Lochie Bellerby, who was on a cattle ship that sank in the South China Sea last week. PHOTO: SUPPLIEDThe family of a Southland man missing in the East China Sea have slammed the New Zealand Government for its lack of support and say it has "no choice" but to prepare to launch their own rescue plan. "It would appear that we have no choice but to be ready to mount a private, locally-organised response and rescue plan." "If the satellite search identifies ‘objects of interest’, we remain unclear about what MFAT and the wider-Government plan to do to mobilise quickly. Offers of support from concerned New Zealand and Australian organisations and individuals wanting to help move the search forward were coming in "thick and fast".

Source: Otago Daily Times September 16, 2020 03:00 UTC