Cargo Ship Captain Arrested After His Ship Collided With A Yacht Off Japan

A small cargo ship’s captain was arrested after his ship collided with a yacht off the southeastern coast of Japan’s Kyushu Island on August 13, 2025.

The report of the collision led to a massive search and rescue operation, which has now been cancelled with reports of one fatality.

The Japan Coast Guard Station in Oita received notification from the captain of a cargo ship transporting gravel that the vessel had collided with a yacht around 8:15 am local time.

The collision happened in the area of Tsukumi Bay.

The captain of the cargo ship reported to the Coast Guard that the yacht disappeared and most likely sank. He said that there were many people on the boat.

Six patrol boats and an aeroplane were involved in a search and rescue operation.

Around 10:00 a.m., the body of a 70-year-old man was found, and he was said to have suffered cardiac arrest and was pronounced deceased at the hospital.

The person was identified as Dr Makoto Yamamoto. Later, they interviewed the witnesses and determined he was alone on the boat.

The Oita Coast Guard reported that there was poor visibility when the collision happened. However, it also said that Captain Yuki Mochizuki, aged 28, failed to take adequate precautions.

They did not believe that the ship, Sadamaru No.38, had slowed or stopped.

The ship weighs 492 tonnes and is 65 m long. It has been detained for investigative purposes.

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