The Sagami: Crew Feedback and Vessel Data

On January 16, 2023, the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (MSDF) spotted a significant scar, measuring approximately 30 centimeters, on the port side of the 'Osumi' during a routine inspection. It is believed that this damage was inflicted during a collision with the fishing vessel 'Tobiuo'. MSDF officials from the Kure District Headquarters boarded a ship at Kure Naval Base shortly after 9 a.m. to assess the situation, finding the 'Osumi' anchored off the coast. Upon examining the vessel, they noticed a horizontal scar positioned about one meter above the waterline. The absence of any white coating on the hull indicated that the blemish was caused by the collision with the 'Tobiuo'. In a separate operation on the same day, the 6th Regional Coast Guard Headquarters successfully raised the capsized 'Tobiuo', which had previously been towed from a busy sea route, onto a salvage barge. By approximately 9:30 a.m., two divers conducted a thorough examination of the fishing vessel's hull, and not long after, a crane vessel arrived to assist with the salvage operation. Efforts were made to right the capsized boat, with its wheelhouse becoming visible in the process. Ultimately, the wreck was transported to Hiroshima Port for further investigation. For additional details and images, follow this link: http://japandailypress.com/two-men-in-fishing-boat-msdf-collision-die-from-injuries-1642547/

A grim accident occurred on the morning of January 15, 2014, when the 7.6-meter leisure fishing boat 'Tobiuo' collided with the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force (MSDF) vessel 'Osumi' in the Seto Inland Sea, near Otake. The incident transpired around 8 a.m., tragically leading to the death of the boat's captain, Kiyoshi Takamori, 67, who succumbed to his injuries at a hospital in Iwakuni, Yamaguchi Prefecture, later that night at 11:10 p.m. Another fisherman, Koji Otake, 66, also lost his life on January 16 after remaining unconscious and in critical condition following the collision. Meanwhile, the other two crew members – Shoji Teraoka, 67, and Norito Fushida, 67 – were fortunate to escape injury. It is important to note that none of the four men were wearing life jackets at the time of the incident. The collision occurred while the 'Osumi' was maneuvering to avoid an oncoming freighter. Teraoka recounted the incident, stating that as the 'Osumi' slowed down while the 'Tobiuo' passed on its starboard side, it unexpectedly turned to port and struck the fishing boat, causing it to capsize. The Japan Coast Guard corroborated Teraoka's account, finding evidence of the collision on the MSDF vessel's hull. In light of the tragedy, the Japan Coast Guard has initiated an investigation into potential professional negligence leading to these fatalities. The Japanese government has pledged to conduct a thorough inquiry into the accident's circumstances. Defense Minister Itsunori Onodera has been tasked with ensuring cooperation between the MSDF and the Coast Guard team investigating the incident. Additionally, an emergency task force has been established by the Prime Minister’s office to address the incident, with investigators from the Japan Transport Safety Board launching their own probe. The fishing boat 'Tobiuo' had departed from a berthing facility in Hiroshima at approximately 7:10 a.m. and was en route to Kabuto Island at the time of the tragic event. The MSDF vessel 'Osumi' was headed towards a shipyard in Okayama Prefecture for routine inspections after leaving the Kure base earlier that morning at around 6:30 a.m. For further information, please refer to the full reports with detailed accounts and photos from various news sources.

On January 14, 2014, the Japanese fishing vessel 'Tobiuo' met a tragic fate when it sank after colliding with the Maritime Self-Defense Force ship 'Osumi' in the Seto Inland Sea, near Hiroshima prefecture. The incident involved four individuals aboard the fishing boat, and after the collision, two of them were reported to be in critical condition. Thankfully, the 'Osumi', which was en route to a shipyard in Okayama prefecture for routine maintenance, successfully rescued all four crew members from the water. While the captain and one other person suffered serious injuries, the remaining two occupants were unharmed. The circumstances surrounding the collision are still under investigation, although preliminary reports indicate that the sea conditions were calm and the weather was favorable at the time. The 'Osumi' was carrying 135 crew members during the incident, highlighting the significant resources involved in the naval response.