Photo/Illutration The Kamuiwakka 88 pleasure boat visits Kashuni Falls in Shari, Hokkaido, on June 1 where the Kazu I sank in April 2022. (Takayuki Kakuno)

SHARI, Hokkaido--More than a year after the deadly sinking of a pleasure boat in rough seas, tour boat operators here resumed cruises to Cape Shiretoko on the same route taken by the ill-fated Kazu I.

Carrying 28 passengers in life jackets, the Kamuiwakka 88 sailed from Utoro Port on the morning of June 1, going on a round trip to the cape and back, taking just over three hours.

“We remain fully committed to safety, with precautionary measures taken in advance,” said Norikatsu Kamio, the operator of the Kamuiwakka 88.

Another ship departed 40 minutes later, following new safety rules under which every boat must be accompanied by another.

“I want them to make sure to keep in contact with the ground staff and to cancel the cruise whenever there is a risk,” said Yoshikatsu Kida, who came from Kita-Kyushu with his wife.

The Kazu I tour boat sank in stormy weather off the western coast of the Shiretoko Peninsula on April 23, 2022, leaving 20 passengers and crew members dead and six missing.

Akihiko Kosaka from a local rescue crew remembers the day vividly.

Responding to the emergency call, he rushed to the port but stood feeling helpless at the sight of the rough sea with blowing wind and breaking waves.

He eventually had to give up attempting to go to the rescue of the sinking Kazu I because of the perilous conditions.

“I’ll never forget how defeated I felt at that moment,” said Kosaka.

In June 2022, two months after the accident, operators resumed the cruises with new rules under which every trip must be unanimously approved beforehand by more than one operator.

But the longest course with destinations including Cape Shiretoko remained suspended.

The parents of Akira Soyama, a deceased crew member of the sunken Kazu I, have filed a lawsuit at the Tokyo District Court against the boat’s operator.

They are seeking compensation of about 119 million yen ($857,000) from Shiretoko Pleasure Boat and its president, Seiichi Katsurada, who allegedly ordered the crew to make the trip despite the poor weather and against the advice of other operators.

Related News