Chemical Tanker Collides With Fishing Boat Off Kobe; One Injured

A chemical tanker collided with a fishing vessel off the coast of Kobe, Japan, on Wednesday, leaving the fishing boat’s skipper injured.

No fuel leak or pollution was reported, according to the Japan Coast Guard. The incident occurred at around 12:15 p.m. local time in the Akashi Strait.

The master of the chemical tanker Maruoka Maru informed the Kobe Coast Guard Office that his vessel had collided with a fishing boat while sailing east of the strait.

The skipper of the fishing vessel sustained a head injury and was taken to hospital. Authorities reported that his condition was not life-threatening.

Officials confirmed that both vessels suffered damage near their bows. No fuel leakage or environmental contamination was observed following the collision.

The Japan Coast Guard has launched an investigation to determine the cause of the incident.

Authorities are expected to inspect both vessels and collect statements from the crew involved.

The tanker Maruoka Maru has a deadweight of 1,000 tonnes and was built in 2020.

It operates in Japan’s coastal trade, regularly navigating between ports including Kure, Kobe, and Osaka, and is managed by a Japanese company.

The vessel’s cargo has not been disclosed.

As of Thursday morning local time, Maruoka Maru had departed the Kobe area and was heading west towards Kure.

The Akashi Strait is a busy maritime corridor, frequently used by both commercial vessels and fishing boats.

Reference: japannews

Source: Maritime Shipping News