KUSHIRO, Hokkaido—The company president of a sightseeing boat that sank in strong winds and rough seas in 2022, killing all aboard, apologized to the victims in court on Nov. 12 but did not take blame for the tragedy.

The trial began at the Kushiro District Court for Seiichi Katsurada, 62, president of the Shiretoko Pleasure Boat company.

Katsurada is charged with professional negligence resulting in death over the sinking of the vessel off the Shiretoko Peninsula in Hokkaido, leaving 26 people dead or missing.

The defendant faces allegations related to his role as president and safety manager of the tour boat operator during the incident.

The defense argued for acquittal, stating, “The accident could not have been foreseen.”

In response to the charges, Katsurada said, “I deeply apologize to the families. Bad weather was expected, so when the captain told me (the boat) would turn back in the afternoon, I agreed. I do not know whether this decision violates the law.”

VICTIMS' FAMILIES OUTRAGED

The bereaved families who attended the trial expressed anger over Katsurada’s claim of innocence.

“I wanted to scream, ‘This is ridiculous’ many times,” said a 53-year-old man from Obihiro, Hokkaido. He said it was hard to control his emotions.

The man’s son, 7 at the time, and former wife, then 42, remain missing.

Regarding Katsurada and his lawyer repeatedly denying criminal responsibility, the man said: “So he’s saying he’s not at fault? Such a claim can never stand.”

Another man, 67, whose son remains missing, also came from Fukuoka Prefecture to attend the trial.

The man showed up wearing his son’s suit and dress shirt to show his determination to “fight together.”

“It took a long time to get to the first hearing. It’s finally starting,” the man said. “I still can’t forgive. I want a proper legal judgment to be made.”

TRAGEDY UNFOLDS AT SEA

The accident occurred shortly after 1:20 p.m. on April 23, 2022.

The sightseeing boat Kazu I sank about 14 kilometers offshore of the Shiretoko Cape lighthouse at the tip of the Shiretoko Peninsula.

Two crew members, including the captain, and 24 passengers died or were reported missing.

In the prosecution’s opening statement, details of radio communications from the Kazu I just before it sank were revealed.

According to the statement, around 1 p.m. that day, the Kazu I sent a radio distress call to another sightseeing boat operator.

The Shiretoko Pleasure Boat office could not use its own radio because its antenna was broken, so the Kazu I crew had to contact another boat operator.

The other operator received urgent messages from the Kazu I, including, “The boat is listing about 30 degrees,” and “Sinking, sinking, sinking.”

It was also reported that only the boat's stern remained barely afloat and passengers had no choice but to gather there to stay out of the frigid waters.

The situation is believed to have rapidly deteriorated from that point, according to further messages.

“Water flooded the engine room, stopping the engine.” “The battery is failing due to flooding, and the radio is about to become unusable.”

After these messages, radio communication from the Kazu I ceased.

According to the indictment and other sources, the boat is believed to have sunk shortly after 1:20 p.m.

The indictment states that on the day of the accident, a strong wind and high wave advisory had been issued for the area, and both wind speed and wave height were expected to exceed the company’s operating standards.

Sailing under such conditions risked sinking the boat and causing fatalities among passengers, according to the indictment.

The defendant, who also served as safety manager and operations manager, had a duty to instruct the captain to cancel the departure and prevent the accident but failed to do so, it said.

Even after the boat set off, the defendant did not monitor weather and sea conditions or order it to stop and return to port, allowing the Kazu 1 to continue sailing negligently.

As a result, 26 crew members and passengers drowned, according to the indictment and others.

Six passengers remain missing, but they are presumed deceased by prosecutors who included them in the indictment.

Future hearings will include witness testimony and questioning of the defendant.

The verdict in the trial is scheduled for June 17 next year.

(This article was compiled from reports written by Yuto Ota and Shigehito Nakazawa.)