Tour Boat KAZU 1 Capsizes in Northern Japan

by | Apr 24, 2022 | Maritime Law, Wrongful Death

The Japanese tour boat KAZU 1 capsized on April 23, 2022.  At the time, the ship had twenty-six people on board: two crew members and twenty-four passengers.  The vessel issued a distress call to the coast guard that it had taken on water and was sinking.  Authorities sent helicopters and patrol boats to engage in search and rescue operations.  The Japan Meteorological Agency had issued warnings for strong winds and high waves in the region where the vessel was operating.  At least ten bodies have been recovered, with seven additional people being transported to shore for medical treatment.  Search and rescue operations continue.  Our thoughts and prayers go out to those impacted by this deadly incident.

There have been a number of recent incidents involving vessels.  The container ship SC PHOENIX caught fire on March 25, 2022 while in the Mediterranean Sea.  The cargo ferry SAN GUILLERMO caught fire on March 26, 2022 while in the Gulf of California.  A pontoon boat exploded in LaGrange, Wisconsin on April 1, 2022.  There was a deadly recreational boating accident in North Stonington, Connecticut on April 15, 2022.  There was a fire on board the tug boat BOJOMA 2906 on April 19, 2022.  There was a collision between the container ship TROPIC FREEDOM and the cruise ship MARINER OF THE SEAS on April 20, 2022.  There was a deadly explosion on board the chemical tanker NCC SAFA on April 20, 2022.  There was a fire on board the cargo ship KELLY ALAFIA on April 22, 2022.

It can be dangerous to work in any industry when safety considerations related to dangerous weather conditions are not made.  This is especially so when working on a ship. Safe maritime transport and tourism companies must ensure that their ships do not put the lives of their crew members or passengers at risk.  When companies fail to account for dangerous weather conditions, catastrophic incidents can result. It is unknown if the captain of the vessel simply disregarded the weather conditions, or miscalculated the path of his ship.  The risks of catastrophic death as a result of sailing into dangerous weather conditions must always be taken into account by safe maritime and sightseeing companies.

Our experienced lawyers handle maritime personal injury and wrongful death litigation of all kinds and the skills needed to represent the families of loved ones who have lost their lives or those who have been seriously injured as a result of the negligence of another party. The lawyers of Spagnoletti Law Firm have handled maritime lawsuits throughout the country including those involving capsized vessels.

The experienced and aggressive vessel accident attorneys at Spagnoletti Law Firm can help you understand your rights if you or a loved one was a victim of a maritime disaster. There are strict and short time limits on making claims related to maritime injuries, so please contact us online or call 713-804-9306 or 877-678-5864 to learn more about your rights.