What Crew Members Say About Wakomaru-No.2

A dramatic maritime incident occurred off the coast of Shimonoseki, Yamaguchi, yesterday morning, where two Japanese tankers collided, resulting in a substantial oil slick stretching approximately 14 kilometers. At around 3:30 AM, the chemical tanker Sulphur Garland (IMO: 1234567), with a deadweight tonnage of 4,965 and a build year of 1999, faced off against Wako Maru No. 2 (IMO: 2345678), a product tanker weighing 3,394 tons and built in 2012, owned by Heiwa Kaiun. Eyewitness accounts and photographic evidence reveal that the Sulphur Garland inflicted a significant breach in the starboard side of the Wako Maru No. 2, leading to the unfortunate oil leak. The Japanese Transportation Safety Board has confirmed that there were no injuries from the incident. To investigate the cause of the collision, the Safety Commission has dispatched a team of two ship accident investigators. In response to the spill, the Japanese Coast Guard has proactively deployed oil booms around the affected Wako Maru No. 2 to mitigate any additional oil discharge into the surrounding waters.

In a serious maritime incident, the ‘Wako Maru No. 2’ collided with the Panama-flagged tanker ‘Sulphur Garland’ on October 16, 2023, at approximately 3:30 a.m. This unfortunate event occurred off the coast of Yamaguchi Shimonoseki, particularly near the eastern Shimonoseki Strait. The collision resulted in significant damage to both vessels, with the ‘Wako Maru No. 2’ sustaining a notable hole on its starboard side, which led to an oil spill. The incident has raised concerns regarding maritime safety in the region.