Dr Lukas ORDA Dr Lukas ORDA
By Rachel Riga and Jessica Rendall - ABC
Queensland veterinarian Lukas Orda is one of two Australians missing after a livestock ship capsized in rough seas off the coast of Japan.
The Gulf Livestock 1 had 43 crew members on board and was carrying more than 5,800 cattle in the East China Sea when it issued a distress call early on Wednesday.
The ship left New Zealand on August 14 and was due to arrive in China next Friday.
Maritime Safety Queensland said the livestock carrier docked in Townsville on May 23, and Gladstone on August 6.
Dr Orda, 25, lived on the Gold Coast and recently worked as an equine vet at the Gold Coast Equine Clinic before being employed on the cattle export ship.
He went to Good Shepard Catholic College in Mount Isa, before he completed a 12-month internship at the Goulburn Valley Equine Hospital in Victoria.
Mt Isa Catholic priest Father Michael Lowcock said he knew Dr Orda and that he was "outgoing and gifted" and a valuable member of the community.
"It's really devastating, particularly for his family here," Father Lowcock said.
He said Dr Orda's parents both worked at the local hospital and were well known in the community.
"[They] are really good, good, solid citizens of the community."
Dr Orda's father, Dr Ulrich Orda, is the director of the Mount Isa Hospital emergency department.
Father Lowcock said the entire Mt Isa community was devastated by the news of the accident.
"It'll take a while to seep in.
"One can only hope that he will be found at least, for the family, whether or not that will be alive."
His wife Emma Orda recently gave birth to their son, Theo.
Dr Orda studied at James Cook University (JCU) in Townsville.
In a statement, JCU said Dr Orda completed his veterinary science studies in 2016.
"Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this time," JCU said in the statement.
In a statement, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade Spokesperson said the Australian Government was providing consular assistance to the families of two Australian crew members on board a cargo vessel reported missing in Japanese waters.
By Sofie Wainwright - ABC
The parents of a Queensland vet missing after a live export ship capsized are worried potential survivors could be drifting at sea and "slowly dying" while they wait for rescue.
Lukas Orda and New South Wales man Will Mainprize are among 40 crew missing from the Gulf Livestock 1, which was hit by two typhoons off the coast of Japan almost two weeks ago.
Japan's Coast Guard scaled back its search last week after the vessel's distress call was sent to the west of Amami Oshima Island in south-western Japan.
But Lukas's father Dr Ulrich Orda said on Monday their son and other survivors could be drifting in a north-easterly direction, an area that was not part of the search by Japanese authorities.
He said this was based on the advice of a marine expert engaged by the family of a New Zealander who is also missing.
"[Foreign Affairs Minister] Marise Payne and her department are in constant meetings and discussions about what actions to take … however, meanwhile they may be slowly dying out there," Dr Orda said.
"We have received maps of the search conducted, and also maps predicting where they may have been at the time and are potentially now.
"This reinforces our concern that they may already have been well out of the area searched."
The map was reportedly drawn based on advice from a marine expert.
Mr Orda's parents made a public plea to the Federal Government on Friday, and his wife Emma filmed herself delivering a statement with the couple's baby at the weekend.
She also released video shot by her husband from the bridge of the ship as it battled rough seas hours before it vanished.
More than 45,000 people have signed a petition calling for the extensive search to resume.
State Member for Traeger Robbie Katter said there had been little action from the Federal Government since he contacted them on Thursday.
"I'm angry — how do you wait four days to send a plane out to look for people that are lost at sea?" Mr Katter said.
"And now we know the area that they were searching is most likely the area where the survivors … moved from.
"It's not something that you just park up at the weekend, which apparently the Government has done … it's something that you act on straight away.
On Friday, Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack and Foreign Affairs Minister Marise Payne said Japan's Coast Guard had advised the Australian Embassy in Tokyo that "wide area surveillance by air and sea continues".
Mr Katter said "a normal coastguard run" did not constitute a proper search.