On the 27th of this month, one week after a tragic collision between a cargo ship and a recreational fishing boat off the coast of Toba City in Mie Prefecture, investigators are cautiously probing the circumstances of the incident, particularly since visibility was reportedly clear at the time. The fatal incident saw two fishing customers lose their lives while ten others sustained injuries of varying degrees. Initial inquiries indicate that both vessels had responsibilities to avoid one another, raising questions about the adequacy of lookout protocols from both sides, especially since this occurred in an area with other vessels operating nearby.

The 21-year-old second officer of the cargo ship, identified as Naoto Sugimoto, has acknowledged his role in the steering at the time of collision. Just about an hour after he took over the navigation, the accident occurred while he was alone in the control room. He has since been sent to the Tsu District Prosecutor's Office on charges of professional negligence resulting in death. Meanwhile, investigators are also interviewing the captain of the fishing boat, who was 66 years old, as part of the ongoing inquiry to ascertain the roles and responsibilities of both parties involved.

A focal point of the investigation is the question of why the collision occurred in conditions that allowed for visibility of up to ten kilometers. Witnesses, including other fishing vessel captains, indicated that they did not hear any horn from the cargo ship, despite multiple vessels operating in the vicinity. This has led to concerns about whether the cargo ship was alert to the presence of the nearby fishing boats, inviting further scrutiny into the practices of maritime navigation safety in the area. The need for clearer communication and awareness among vessels has been highlighted by this incident, underscoring the necessity for protocols as boating activity increases in popular fishing areas.