The family of a New Zealander missing from a capsized livestock ship says the rescue operation should be prioritised over searching for the ship's black box.
New Zealanders Scott Harris (left) and Lochie Bellerby were on board the Gulf Livestock 1. Photo: RNZ
Nearly 6000 cattle and 43 crew, including two New Zealanders, were on board the Gulf Livestock 1 when it capsized in the East China Sea on 3 September.
Yesterday, Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters said New Zealand is looking at whether it is viable to search for the black box data recorder from the ship.
Peters said it would mean a lot to the crew's families if they could find out what happened.
He said officials are working with international partners such as Panama, Japan, Australia, the Philippines and the ship's owners to see whether a search for the black box is possible.
But the family of missing New Zealander Lochie Bellerby said in a statement the rescue operation and scanning island shorelines near where the ship sank should be top priority.
"All Government efforts and resources right now should be on expanding the intensity and scope of the rescue, and confirming that all island shorelines near where the ship sank have been scanned for the 40 crew and four unaccounted for life rafts.
"Survival is still possible. In time, information obtained from any black box would be welcomed, but let's bring the crew home first."