Gulf Livestock 1, a specialized cargo ship measuring 139 meters with 5,867 cattle on board, was headed for the Port of Jingtang in Tangshan, China, when it sent a "mayday" call Wednesday from west of Amami Oshima island in southwestern Japan.

Hours after the ship's crew sent a distress call, the Japanese coastguard arrived on the scene and rescued one person out of the 43 who were on board. The survivor, Sareno Edvarodo, 45, the vessel's chief officer, said the ship's engine had failed just as a rogue wave struck the side of the vessel in just the right way. As the boat began to capsize, all crew were instructed to put on life jackets and prepare life-threatening conditions like strong winds and heavy rain from Typhoon Maysak.