The 13.5 ton fishing vessel Konpira Maru capsized after colliding with the 498 tonne coastal tanker Shoyo Maru off Mihama, Japan. The fishing vessel was struck by the passing tanker spilling the two crew into the water. The Coast Guard reported that only one crewman was later rescued while the other was still missing. No reports of injuries or damage to the tanker Shoyo Maru. The Shoyo Maru was en route to Kawasaki with 300 tons of chemicals on board.
On August 11, the 107 meter long, 5918 dwt container ship Merry Star ran aground in the Tsushima Strait outside the port of Hakata, Japan. The Merry Star had suffered hull damage with water ingress along with pollution released. The boxship fuel tank had ruptured and a sheen was spotted around the vessel. A tug was dispatched to the scene, but it was determined to remove the remaining fuel on board before refloating. A lighter tanker was dispatched from Hakata a few days later. No reports of injuries.
The 190 meter long, 6277 dwt ro-ro passenger ship Sun Flower Daisetsu caught fire off the coast of Hokkaido, Japan. The Sun Flower Daisetsu was en route to Tomakomai from Tokyo with 71 passengers and 23 crew. Reports states a fire started from one of the 160 trucks on the cargo deck. The fire quickly grew and got out of control and the crew quested assistance. Authorities dispatched 15 patrol boats along with 5 helicopters to the scene. The crew mustered all the passengers on board to the lifeboat stations where they gathered on deck wearing life jackets. When authorities arrived, all 71 passengers and 22 crew were evacuated off the ferry. One crew member was reported missing.
