Seiichi Katsurada, the president of the company that operated the sightseeing boat that sank off the coast of the Shiretoko Peninsula in Hokkaido, was charged with violating the Seafarers Act for not issuing the required employment contracts to sailors in the year before the shipwreck. He was summarily indicted on the 15th for the crime.
The person who was summarily indicted is Seiichi Katsurada (60), president of Shiretoko Pleasure Boat, which operated the sightseeing boat KAZU1.
According to the indictment, President Katsurada is accused of violating the Seafarers Act in March 2021, the year before the shipwreck, for failing to issue employment contracts that must be given to sailors.
"KAZU1" ran aground in June 2021, and the captain and former crew members were referred to prosecutors, which was discovered during the investigation.
On the 15th, the Abashiri District Public Prosecutor's Office charged the 44-year-old former sailor, who had been referred to the prosecutor's office in connection with the stranding accident, with negligence in the course of his duties and violation of the Maritime Transport Act, alleging that he had neglected his duty of care to check the safety of the route and prevent accidents. He was formally indicted on charges of.
On the other hand, the captain was not prosecuted because he died in the sinking accident.
The 1st Regional Coast Guard Headquarters is continuing to investigate the sinking of the sightseeing boat on suspicion of causing death due to professional negligence.