Kazu I

In June 2021 she ran aground in shallow water shortly after leaving port, no one was injured in that incident.[2]

On 13:15 local time Saturday 23 April 2022 the ship went missing with 26 people on board, of which two were crew and two were children. The ship was crewed by a 54 year old captain and a 27 year old deckhand. The crew signalled that the boat was listing at 30 degrees and was about to sink. The crew said all aboard were wearing life jackets, however the water temperature reaches 0 degrees Celsius at night. Due to high waves in the area, local fishing boats had decided to return to port.[3] The Japan Coast Guard dispatched five patrol board and two aircraft to search for survivors.[4]

As of 30 April 2022 fourteen people have been confirmed dead, and the rest are missing.[5] On 29 April the wreckage of the boat was found, located on a slope near the Shiretoko Peninsula at a depth of 115-120 meters.[6]

The Kazu I was the first tourist boat to be operated in the area during the season and its crew had been advised by another tourism operator not to leave port due to the hazardous sea conditions. The ship also operated alone, breaking an informal rule within other tourism ship operators that at least 2 ships should be together. In a press conference Shireteko Pleasure cruise CEO Seiichi Katsurada bowed on the floor and apologized in a press conference on 28 April. He admitted that the main antenna and satellite phone on deck were known to be inoperable prior to the disaster. Katsurada stated he had approved the trip as he considered that the captain could utilize a cellphone and other boat operators could assist as well.[7] His actions attracted condemnation from both naval organizations and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism.