Kota-Duta Ship Details and Seafarer Feedback

On February 8, 2012, the Japan Coast Guard apprehended the captains of the cargo vessels 'Kota Duta' and 'Tanya Karpinskaya' amid allegations of professional negligence that jeopardized maritime safety. The incident took place in Niigata port on February 7 when the two vessels collided, leading to the sinking of the 'Tanya Karpinskaya'. The master of the Russian-flagged freighter and the Polish captain of the Singapore-registered container ship are under suspicion for not taking adequate measures to avoid the crash. The 'Tanya Karpinskaya' was maneuvering to dock at a different pier as the 'Kota Duta' was departing when the collision occurred. Fortunately, all 17 crew members from both vessels were rescued unscathed. The Russian vessel was transporting two used vehicles and approximately 1,300 tons of scrap metal, having departed from Russia on January 22 and arriving in Niigata on February 6. The purpose of the 'Tanya Karpinskaya's' visit to Japan was to return the vehicles after they were rejected by Russian authorities due to excessive radiation levels.