A sightseeing boat sank off the Shiretoko Peninsula in Hokkaido, and 12 people are still missing. The Japan Coast Guard and the Self-Defense Forces have been searching for missing persons around the site sea area for four days.
On the 23rd of last month, 14 passengers died and 12 people are still missing after 10 days in the accident where the sightseeing boat `` KAZU 1'' carrying 26 passengers and crew sank off the coast of the Shiretoko Peninsula. increase.
On the 4th, the 1st Regional Coast Guard Headquarters, the Self-Defense Forces, and the local fishermen's cooperatives are searching for the missing person around the site sea area, but as of 11:00 am, no new clues have been found.
Also, in the investigation of the sunken hull, the police underwater camera entered the ship for the first time on the 3rd, but so far no human figure can be confirmed except for the seats in the cabin, and we will continue to watch the weather conditions in the sea. I will continue my search activities.
On the other hand, regarding the accident, it is known that the presidents of the operating companies were aware of the possibility of bad weather, but decided to "conditionally depart" to return when the sea was rough.
The Japan Coast Guard is searching the company's office and related parties on suspicion of accidental fatalities in business, and is investigating in detail whether there were any problems with the decision of the day's voyage and the safety management system based on the seized materials. ..
Approximately 40 local fishermen search
At the port of Utoro, Shari-cho, about 40 local fishermen confirmed the scope of the search from around 5:30 am on the 4th and headed for the sea one after another.
According to the fishery cooperatives, three fishing boats and two small tour boats belonging to the Shari Daiichi Fisheries Cooperative are scheduled to search the sea area near the accident site and the coastal and offshore areas from Cape Shiretoko to the Rausu side of the Shiretoko Peninsula on the 4th. That is.
However, since there is a thick fog warning in this area, it means that the search will be conducted while checking the visibility.
According to the fishery cooperative, it is about to start full-scale set net fishing such as "Toxyraz", so fishermen will not participate in the search until the 5th at the request of the Japan Coast Guard, so after the 6th. Will search within the fishing grounds, surrounding areas, and round-trip waters.
Koichi Baba, the union leader of Shari Daiichi Fisheries Cooperative, said, "Everyone is searching for it. It's a pity that some people haven't found it yet, but I'm thinking of cooperating as much as I can while participating in the search." I was talking.
President Katsura resigns as chairman of a council made up of four operating companies
The Shiretoko Small Tour Boat Council, which is made up of four companies that operate small tour boats in Utoro, Shari Town, held its first meeting after the accident on the 3rd, and was the chairman of the council, according to the people concerned. It means that the resignation of Chairman Seiichi Katsura of "Shiretoko Tour Boat" has been approved.
President Katsura attended the meeting over the phone and offered to resign as chairman himself, saying he would take responsibility for the accident.
In the future, the council will consider specific safety measures such as leaving ports with multiple ships when operating sightseeing boats and establishing a system to help each other in the event of trouble.