Search under way as ship feared sunk with 42 crew and 5,800 cows

A crew member is rescued by Japanese Coastguard members (The 10th Regional Japan Coast Guard Headquarters via AP)

Japanese rescuers are searching for a livestock ship carrying 42 crew members that a survivor said sank during rough weather a day earlier off a southern Japanese island.

The Filipino crew member was rescued late on Wednesday after Japanese navy P-3C surveillance aircraft spotted him wearing a life vest and waving while bobbing in the water.