‘I am praying’: Cattle Ship Captain’s Texts As Typhoon Builds

Two Filipino crew have been rescued so far, one on Wednesday and another on Friday, found on a life-raft. An unidentified man pulled unconscious from the water on Friday later died.

Chunanon learned the ship was missing from a Facebook post by the wife of a crewman.

“My body was trembling that time,” she said. “Even if they lose internet connection, he finds a way to message me.”

“I’m getting nervous while the time is running out,” she said.

Addug boarded the Gulf Livestock 1 in November 2019 and was due home next month to be reunited with his family and meet his 4-month-old son for the first time.

“When I kept asking them to pray with me, they asked why, then they saw me crying,” she said.

Chunanon said her eldest daughter, 6, saw her watching news about the ship and asked if her father was missing.

“Last night she asked ‘has daddy been saved?’”

‘THEY’RE ALIVE SOMEWHERE’

Liberty Seneres, wife of chief engineer, Aristotle Sabillena, said she received pictures of her husband’s cabin with items strewn across the floor, shortly before losing contact.

She urged the coastguard not to give up.

“I am praying he is still safe somewhere,” she said. “I asked the lord to give me a sign.”

“Keep searching for them. They’re alive somewhere.”

Captain Addug had earlier sent messages to his partner complaining of a headache and dizziness from powerful waves.

He sent maps of the ship’s location in relation to the typhoon.

A few hours later, Chunanon saw his photos of the storm intensifying.

“I’m so worried, hopefully the typhoon will weaken,” she wrote.