Ulsan-Pioneer Vessel Reviews and Specifications

On May 30, a crew member from the ill-fated vehicle carrier, 'Byakko', was found in a critical state of cardiopulmonary arrest near the location of the sinking. Since May 28, the Japanese Coast Guard, utilizing both ships and aircraft, has been actively engaged in a search operation for three other crew members who remain unaccounted for in the waters of the Seto Inland Sea. Concurrently, the Japan Transport Safety Board has initiated an investigation aboard the 'Ulsan Pioneer', which is stationed close to the site of the maritime disaster.

On May 28, 2021, at 2:45 a.m., a tragic incident unfolded in the Seto Inland Sea when the Japanese vehicle carrier 'Byakko' capsized and sank after colliding with the chemical tanker 'Ulsan Pioneer' on May 27 at 11:55 p.m. The collision occurred off the coast of Ehime Prefecture, prompting an immediate response from the Imabari Coast Guard Office. The 'Byakko' was carrying a total of 12 crew members, of whom three are currently missing: captain Tamotsu Sato, aged 66, first engineer Yuki Ogawa, 27, and second engineer Takahiro Uehata, 22, all of Japanese nationality. Fortunately, five crew members were rescued by a Coast Guard patrol vessel, while four others were picked up by a nearby container ship. The 'Ulsan Pioneer,' which had 13 crew members — eight from South Korea and five from Myanmar — sustained significant damage to its bow but remained afloat, with no serious injuries reported among its crew. The ill-fated 'Byakko' had departed from Kobe at 4:30 p.m. on May 27, bound for Kanda in Fukuoka Prefecture with cargo consisting of vehicle parts. The 'Ulsan Pioneer' left Yizhen on May 24 and had been scheduled to reach Osaka port by May 28 at 2 p.m. Ongoing search efforts are focused on locating the missing crew members. For further details, refer to the reports with photos from reputable sources: Japan Times, Kyodo News, and CDE News.