A chemical tanker has crashed into a cargo ship earlier this week. According to Japanese coast guard, the accident happened around 0200 Tokyo in time on August 20 around 2 miles off Kushimoto, Wakayama Prefecture, southeast Honshu.
Japanese chemical tanker crashed into a cargo ship
The Japanese chemical tanker named Ryoshinmaru had six Japanese crew member none were injured during the accident. The Belize-registered Chinese general cargo ship Xin Hai 99 with its 14 Chinese crew members were also safe. According to Kushimoto Coast Guard official, both ships are currently anchored. in the area about 3.5 kilometers (2.2 miles) off the coast of Wakayama prefecture after the accident on Saturday.
How did it happen?
The ships were traveling in opposite directions, and the bow on the tanker hit the cargo ships starboard superstructure area. The engine room of the cargo ship got flooded. Xin Hai 99 was sailing carrying steel cargo from Kawasaki to Wakamatsu. The official also added that the cargo ship was initially sinking but was saved later. There were oil spills leaked from the engine area of the ship. Luckily the chemical tanker did not have any chemical at the time of the crash. It was travelling from Kobe port to another Japanese port to pick up chemicals but her bow was damaged. Â
The incident is currently under investigation. Divers were sent to the scene of the crash and GPS records pursued to determine the cause of the accident. So far the caused have not been found, however, according to officials, the Chinese crew from cargo shop reportedly told the coast guard that the tanker had suddenly veered toward them.
Earlier in March, a chemical and oil tanker and freighter with crew member collided off the Dutch coast in the storm-hit North Sea. The accident damaged both the vessels but the chemical and oil tanker was able to continue its journey. Freighter was evacuated and 18 crew members were rescued safely.