Crew Reviews, Ratings & Info for Sanwamaru

On January 6, 2025, at approximately 6 p.m., the 'Sanwa Maru', a tanker transporting 3,800 tons of kerosene from Tomakamai to a port in Akita Prefecture, ran aground east of Esancho, close to Cape Esan in Hakodate, Hokkaido. The incident occurred at coordinates 41° 47' N 141° 10' E, under wind speeds of five meters per second. Attempts to refloat the vessel were initially unsuccessful. Salvage operations were paused the next day, January 7, due to adverse weather conditions. On January 8, the Hakodate Coast Guard reported oil leakage from the damaged fuel tank, with approximately one ton of diesel and 3.1 tons of kerosene already spilled into the sea. An oil containment boom has been deployed to mitigate the environmental impact. Of the tanker’s 11 crew members, seven were rescued by a boat launched from the patrol vessel 'Okushiri', while the remaining four chose to remain onboard to assist in the salvage efforts. The 'Sanwa Maru' was observed listing five degrees towards its starboard side as the situation unfolded. For additional coverage, including photos and videos, visit: [Getty Images](https://www.gettyimages.hk/detail/新聞照片/the-tanker-sanwa-maru-runs-aground-off-hakodate-in-the-新聞照片/2192328978?adppopup=true), [TBS News](https://newsdig.tbs.co.jp/articles/-/1652383?display=1), [FNN](https://www.fnn.jp/articles/-/811348), [Yomiuri](https://www.yomiuri.co.jp/national/20250108-OYT1T50045/), [YouTube 1](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KoSXOF7vjBw&t=1s), [YouTube 2](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0BD3tJMu5eQ), [HBC News](https://www.hbc.co.jp/news/af591e5235c65fb5f026eec6270120ea.html), [NHK Sapporo News 1](https://www3.nhk.or.jp/sapporo-news/20250107/7000072432.html), [NHK Sapporo News 2](https://www3.nhk.or.jp/sapporo-news/20250108/7000072463.html).

On January 10, a salvage operation was attempted to remove the 'Sanwa Maru' from its rocky perch off the coast of Esan, Hakodate City. This effort was initiated after the oil leak was successfully contained by transferring fuel from the damaged tank to an empty one. As part of the operation, ballast water was also being discharged. The tugboat 'Koyo Maru' (IMO: 9966348), operated by Nippon Salvage, made several small maneuvers starting at 10:04 a.m. local time. Unfortunately, despite these attempts, the tanker remained stuck, leading to the suspension of the operation at 11:10 a.m. Preliminary investigations suggest that the grounding incident may have been attributed to human error on the part of the helmsman. The Japan Coast Guard is actively pursuing inquiries into the circumstances surrounding the mishap. For further details and visuals, check out the reports with photos and video: [NHK](https://www3.nhk.or.jp/sapporo-news/20250110/7000072539.html), [Saitama NP](https://www.saitama-np.co.jp/articles/117809/postDetail), [TBS News](https://newsdig.tbs.co.jp/articles/-/1659986?display=1), [Hokkaido NP](https://www.hokkaido-np.co.jp/article/1109510/?ref=top).

Salvage operations for the grounded tanker 'Samwa Maru' have been put on hold as authorities investigate a significant oil slick reported on January 8. Most of the crew was evacuated after the vessel shifted position during ongoing attempts to refloat it. The Japanese Coast Guard initially intervened on January 7, deploying vessels to assist in pulling the tanker from its rocky entrapment, but those efforts were unsuccessful, leading to the dispatch of additional tugs. On the morning of January 8, crew members reported that the ship had moved, which coincided with the appearance of an oil slick and a noticeable odor of fuel in the vicinity. A helicopter from the Hakodate Air Base, part of the 1st Regional Coast Guard Headquarters, conducted aerial observations revealing that the spill extended approximately 2.7 kilometers in length and 1 kilometer in width around the grounding area. The slick was recorded to stretch nearly 1.5 miles from the vessel itself. Despite the spill, the Coast Guard expressed confidence that the cargo tanks of 'Samwa Maru' remain intact and described the leak as minor. Efforts to resume salvage operations were anticipated on January 9, contingent upon a thorough assessment of the leakage situation by the shipowner and the salvage company. The Coast Guard suspects that the heavy fuel oil leak is likely due to damage near the stern's fuel tank. For more detailed reports and visuals, check out the links here: [Nordot](https://nordot.app/1249629951040209714?c=768367547562557440) and [Asahi](https://www.asahi.com/articles/AST183FCZT18IIPE008M.html).