Photo/Illutration This satellite image, provided by 2020 Maxar Technologies on Aug. 18, shows an aerial view of the MV Wakashio, a bulk carrier ship that recently ran aground off the southeast coast of Mauritius. (2020 Maxar Technologies via AP)

Crew members of deep-sea fishing vessels are away from their countries for months at a time. While at sea, nothing is said to delight them more than letters from their families and friends back home.

Kenji Saito, a former head chef of a tuna fishing vessel, recalls in his book "Maguro Tosabune" a scene at a port of call where the crew received their mail.

Most men skimmed over their letters at first, and then waited until they were in their quarters to read them over and over at their leisure.

In addition to letters and photos, the mail also included items such as their children's perfect-score test papers and cassette tape recordings of family conversations.

The scene, by the way, is from back in the 1980s.

In this day and age of smartphones, one must feel totally cut off from the world while sailing the oceans with no internet connection. And perhaps that is why some crew members of the Japanese bulk carrier that ran aground off Mauritius in July were reported by a local newspaper to have told police investigators that "the vessel was maneuvered closer to an island to access Wi-Fi."

If the report is true, the consequences of that action were truly dear.

The ship split in two and spilled its fuel of heavy oil into the sea. The images of black oil blanketing the pristine seashore are painful to watch. Considerable damage has been done to mangroves, and fish and birds have been killed.

Mark Twain (1835-1910) wrote of Mauritius in his travelogue: "This is the only country in the world where the stranger is not asked, 'How do you like this place?'"

The implication is that people could not but like the sea and the sky of this Indian Ocean island nation.

I am reminded of the magnitude of what the accident has befouled.

The Japanese shipowner has sent its personnel to Mauritius, and the Japanese government also has dispatched an oil removal team.

The only way to take responsibility for this irreparable mishap is to do everything to restore the natural environment.

The entire world is watching.

--The Asahi Shimbun, Aug. 20

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Vox Populi, Vox Dei is a popular daily column that takes up a wide range of topics, including culture, arts and social trends and developments. Written by veteran Asahi Shimbun writers, the column provides useful perspectives on and insights into contemporary Japan and its culture.

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