On the evening of November 23, the 14 meter long, 19 gt towboat Shoei Maru collided with the 230 meter long, 81,043 dwt bulk carrier Yiannis N. G. (IMO: 9701308) in Osaka Bay near Kobe, Japan. Reports state the Yiannis N. G. had struck the Shoei Maru causing the towboat to capsize.  The Japan Coast Guard and the local fire department launched a search and rescue operation looking for the three crew of the Shoei Maru. One of the crew was found conscious in the water. He would be rescued and later taken to hospital.  Reports state another of the crew was found trapped in the overturned vessel. A search for the missing crew person is still ongoing.

Reports state there was no report of injuries to the 21 crew of the Yiannis N. G. and there was no damage to the bulk carrier. Authorities state they have launched an investigation into the incident.