Will’s
Story
Will Mainprize, an Australian adventurer, son, brother, and friend, embodied an admirable example of how to truly maximize one’s time on this beautiful Earth.
WILL MAINPRIZE, AN AUSTRALIAN STOCKMAN AND ADVENTURER WAS ONE OF 43 VICTIMS OF THE GULF LIVESTOCK 1 DISASTER IN SEPTEMBER 2020
The Gulf Livestock 1 was transporting 6000 cattle by sea from New Zealand to the Port of Jingtang, China. Will was there as an official observer to monitor the welfare of the animals – something he was passionate about and an Australian government requirement on live export ships since 2018.
On September 2, the vessel hit heavy storms caused by Typhoon Maysak in the East China Sea. It is believed to have lost power and capsized that night off the coast of Japan. Just three of the missing crew (one recovered body and two survivors) were ever accounted for.
A search and rescue campaign by the Japanese Coast Guard – and multiple subsequent efforts privately funded by Will’s family, friends and the general public via crowdfunding campaigns – were not successful in finding Will or any of the remaining 39 crew members.
Though Will’s fate remains a mystery, his legacy is clear. A former wilderness guide in Tasmania, and keen traveller in the developing world, having completed solo treks across Pakistan, Jordan and Mongolia, Will was dedicated to conservation and believed the natural world could heal and bring people together.