Collisions with Fishing Boats under Operation

There are a number of collisions between Japanese fishing boats under operation and foreign registered vessels around the coast of Japan every year. In order to prevent similar accident in future, this issue features fishing methods unique to Japan and analysis on actual marine accidents and the lessons learned.

Marine Accidents in Kanmon Kaikyo (Strait)

Kanmon Kaikyo is a narrow strait - with a navigable width of only about 500 meters at the narrowest part, off Moji Saki - extending about 15 miles from He Saki in Moji-ku of Kita-Kyushu City to Mutsure Shima of Shimonoseki City. It features sharp bend, which prevent mariners from getting a view into the distance, and strong tidal current which sometimes exceed 9 knots. Despite such difficulties to navigation, Kanmon Kaikyo sees the passage of more than 600 vessels a day, including foreign-flag vessels which use the channel as a gateway to economically developing East Asia, such as China and Korea, making the strait a vital artery for maritime traffic.

Message for the prevention of marine accidents in fog

From spring to summer, the Japanese archipelago is often enveloped by dense fog. Many collisions and groundings occur every year during this time along the Pacific Coast and in the Seto Inland Sea (Seto Naikai) due to restricted visibility.
This issue of “Marine Accidents in Fog,” features in-depth analyses of recent significant casualties caused by fog, and lessons learned from these cases. We hope this booklet would be a good reference for those navigating around Japan in the foggy situations, and contribute to the prevention of similar casualties in future.

Marine Accidents in Kurushima Kaikyo (Strait)

Sail Naka Suido with the tidal current, Sail Nishi Suido Against the tidal current

There are a number of narrow channels in Japan called “Kaikyo”, “Seto” or “Suido”. Particularly in the Seto Naikai (the Inland Sea), there are 724 islands and the number of those would reach 3,000 if unnamed rocks are to be counted. The narrow and winding channels running between these islands are dangerous spots for navigation because of poor visibility and rapid tidal current. Significant casualties have occurred repeatedly in such straits as “Kurushima Kaikyo” and “Kanmon Kaikyo”, both of which are essential and busy passage routes through the Seto Naikai.
This issue features the situation of marine accidents in “Kurushima Kaikyo”.

Message for the prevention of Marine Accidents due to typhoons

Every year Japan is struck by many typhoons. A lot of serious marine accidents are caused by typhoons, bringing about loss of human life, ships and cargo.
We have learned important lessons from our experience with typhoons, and are trying to make good use of this knowledge.
In recent years, however, more and more foreign seafarers who lack knowledge, experience and appropriate skills of typhoons in Japanese waters have been involved in very serious casualties around Japan.
Please read and make use of this letter.