Tragic Collision Claims Lives of Four Fishermen off Aomori Coast
In a heartbreaking maritime accident, four fishermen lost their lives after a collision between their vessel and a cargo ship. The incident occurred on March 17, 2026, at approximately 1:15 a.m. local time, about 20 kilometers off the Misawa fishing port in Aomori Prefecture. The cargo ship, named ‘Suehiro Maru,’ was en route from Tomakomai to Hachinohe when it collided with the fishing vessel ‘Kofuku Maru No. 65,’ which had 13 crew members on board.
The captain of the ‘Suehiro Maru’ notified the Coast Guard’s 2nd regional headquarters in Shiogama, Miyagi Prefecture, at around 1:20 a.m. Following the collision, the fishing vessel capsized and sank rapidly. An immediate search operation was launched by the ‘Suehiro Maru’ and another nearby fishing vessel, despite challenging conditions due to darkness. Rescuers managed to locate and save nine crew members from the ‘Kofuku Maru No. 65,’ all of whom suffered no serious injuries.
However, four fishermen were initially reported missing. One crew member was found entangled in a net around 7 a.m., while the remaining three were discovered unconscious nearby. Tragically, all four were later pronounced dead at a local hospital. Fortunately, the six crew members of the ‘Suehiro Maru’ emerged uninjured from the incident.
Investigation Underway Following the Incident
The ‘Suehiro Maru,’ which showed a large vertical scratch on its bow after the collision, is owned by a shipping company based in Kure, Hiroshima Prefecture. The vessel was carrying a load of rocks and had departed from Tomakomai Port in Hokkaido on January 16, bound for Kimitsu in Chiba Prefecture, located east of Tokyo. The ‘Kofuku Maru No. 65’ had set sail from its home port in Hachinohe on the evening of March 16 at around 10:45 p.m.
At the time of the collision, weather conditions were clear, with wind speeds reaching approximately 26 km/h and wave heights around one meter. Authorities are now conducting a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident, led by the Hachinohe Coast Guard Office. This tragic event highlights the inherent dangers of maritime operations and the need for continued vigilance in ensuring the safety of all at sea.
