OOKUNI

General information

Course/Position

Latest news

Video of collision published

The Japanes governemtn on Oct 18 released a video of the collision of the 'Ooguni' with a North Korean trawler in an effort to demonstrate that Japan took appropriate action. The 13-minute video shows that the North Korean vessel sank after colliding with the Fisheries Agency patrol ship on Oct. 7 off the Ishikawa Prefecture in the Sea of Japan 350 kilometers northwest of the Noto Peninsula, conflicting with a claim by Pyongyang that Japan deliberately sank the fishing vessel. The 'Ookuni' directed a water cannon at the North Korean vessel after it failed to comply with a warning to leave the waters in Japan’s exclusive economic zone- The two ships were sailing on parallel course, but the North Korean vessel swerved to port, hit the Japanese ship and subsequently developed port side list and capsized before going down with its crew jumping into the water. Agency official Takashi Koya said that the actions of the patrol ship and its use of the water cannons were appropriate. The 'Ookuni' deployed lifeboats for the North Korean crew, who survived and left on another North Korean vessel that was nearby. The vessel that sank is believed to have been illegally fishing in the area after fishing nets, gear and lines of drying squid were seen on the deck. On June 19 North Korea demanded compensation for what it claimed was Japan’s deliberate sinking of the vessel. Pyongyang also urged Tokyo to take steps to prevent a recurrence. Japan termed the claims “totally unacceptable.” A Japan Coast Guard ship that arrived after the incident did not question the North Korean crew members about the collision, prompting both ruling and opposition parties to demand release of the footage. The government was initially reluctant to release it but did so anyway to show the Okuni’s actions were appropriate. The original video was four hours long but was edited to show just 13 minutes of the incident which occurred in an area near fertile fishing waters, especially for squid. The area has seen a rise in illegal fishing by North Korean and Chinese ships, and Japanese authorities have been stepping up patrols. Report with video: https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2019/10/19/national/japan-releases-video-ship-collision-involving-fisheries-agency-north-korean-trawler/#.Xa4VpUfgrIU

North Korea has demanded the Japan government to pay compensation for ship loss

North Korea has demanded the Japan government to pay compensation for the sinking of a North Korean fishing boat, after it came in contact with the 'Ookuni'. A North Korean Foreign Ministry official stated that the act was deliberate and disputed Japan's claim that the ship's sharp turn caused the incident. Meanwhile Japan officials are considering releasing the video that captured the incident to prove their side. Video of collision and sinking: https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=390&v=9NNpy0DLs48

Collision off Japan

The 'Ookuni' of the Japanese Fisheries Agency was in collision with a large North Korean fishing boat in the Sea of Japan on Oct 7, 2019, at 9:10 a.m., about 350 kilometers northwest of the Noto Peninsula in Ishikawa Prefecture. The North Korean vessel sank within half an hour, and the more than 20 crew members went into life rafts. The Fisheries Agency ship was rescuing them. The Coast Guard has sent a patrol boat and other vessels to the site to investigate. The collision occurred inside Japan's Exclusive Economic Zone in one of the country's best fishing grounds, Yamatota. Japan's Coast Guard and Fisheries Agency have been sending patrol ships to the waters to deter illegal fishing. Report with video: https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20191007_20/