Formal Adjudication
In a situation where the "Nadashio", the "Fuji Maru No.1" and a third vessel were approaching one another, the "Nadashio" not only failed to take action to avoid collision as a result of an insufficient watch of the movement of the "Fuji Maru No.1", but also took the action to put the helm to starboard too late since the steering order was not delivered in a secure manner; on the other hand, the "Fuji Maru No.1" failed to take proper action to avoid collision, on the basis of an improper assessment of the movement of the "Nadashio", and swung to port only after developing a close quarters situation against the "Nadashio"; these factors combined are found to have contributed to the occurrence of the collision
The fact that the Maritime Self-Defense Force Submarine Flotilla 2 did not provide crew members of the "Nadashio" with sufficient training and guidance for safe navigation and the fact that Fuji Shoji did not properly manage the operation of the "Fuji Maru No.1" are also found to have contributed to the accident.
A large number of persons were killed or injured in this accident because both vessels still had headway when they collided almost in parallel to each other and, thus, the "Fuji Maru No.1" ran up onto the "Nadashio"; as a result, she turned turtle on the side and sank within a short time.
The professional service of the Skipper of "Fuji Maru No.1", examinee, under the Third Grade Maritime Officer (Navigation) license shall be suspended for one month.
Reason
(Fact)
The "Nadashio" was launched in January 1983 and was assigned to the port of Yokosuka as the base port under the Maritime Self-Defense Force, Submarine Flotilla 2, Submarine Division 2. She is a tear drop type submarine which occupies an important position in the Maritime Self-Defense Force burdened with the defense of our country. In order to prepare for her mission she used to conduct training.
