Life vest No mandate for maneuvering room.
In May, a cargo ship collided offshore in Choshi City, Chiba Prefecture, killing three people and missing one, two of whom were saved in the maneuvering room at the top of the ship. Interviews with investigators revealed that there was no vest and there was a possibility that he was late to escape to the lower floor. Ships that mainly navigate the coast of Japan are not obligated to maintain life jackets at work places such as maneuvering rooms, and experts point out that they need to respond.
On May 26th, off the coast of Choshi City, Chiba Prefecture, both the Chichimaru (499 tons) and the Sumiho Maru (499 tons) of the cargo ship collided. Three of the five people who were on board were killed and one was missing, and the Japan Coast Guard is investigating the cause of the accident.
In a later investigation, two of them were in the maneuvering room at the top of Chikachi Maru. I learned from interviews with related parties.
According to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, ships that sail mainly on the coast of Japan, such as Chikamaru, are different from passenger ships on international voyages. It means that the maintenance of the jacket is not required by law.
Prof. Yoshiaki Kunieda of Tokyo Marine University, who is familiar with ship accidents, said, “If the life jacket is in the maneuvering room, the situation has changed. Need to be equipped with life jackets where they work. "