The 56 meter long, 400 gt fishing vessel Chung Yong No. 53 suffered a fire while off Ogasawara-mura, Tokyo, Japan. The crew of 23 on board were rescued by nearby fishing vessels. No reports of injuries. The Japanese Coast Guard has dispatched a patrol boat and aircraft to the scene to investigate the incident. No further details reported.
The high-speed ferry Toppy suffered damage and was disabled off Cape Sata, Japan. The ferry had left Kagoshima bound for Yakushima Island with 190 passengers and crew when it struck an object, possibly a whale, in the water. The crew contacted the Japanese Coast Guard who dispatched a patrol vessel and helicopter to the scene. Three injured crewmen were airlifted and taken to hospital. Two passengers suffered minor injuries. The patrol vessel has taken the Toppy under tow back to port. Reports state the vessel lost power, but was at no time at risk of sinking.
The 136 meter long, 14080 dwt container ship Yong Cai collided with the 3.4 ton fishing vessel Daini Shinyo Maru near Suzu, Ishikawa, Japan. The fishing vessel capsized and sank killing the two crew on board. Authorities charged the lookout and mate of the Yong Cai with “suspicion of professional negligence endangering traffic professional negligence resulting in death”. The Japan Coast Guard has inspected the hull of the Yong Cai and confirmed the vessel collided with the Daini Shinyo Maru.
