Nippon Maru accidents and incidents

25 October 2020Other Incidents

Departing on October 25, 2020, roundtrip out of Port Niihama (Ehime Prefecture), Mitsui OSK Passenger Lines' MS Nippon Maru became Japan's first cruise ship carrying passengers since February 2020 when cruise shipping operations were suspended due to the Coronavirus pandemic. The vessel arrived at Port Sasebo (Nagasaki) on October 26 and returned back to Niihama on October 27.

Although Nippon Maru's max passenger capacity is 530, the number of passengers was limited to ~200, served by 100 crew-staff.

The cruise ship's regularly scheduled service was officially started on November 2, with a 3-day/2-night "Autumn Taste Cruise" roundtrip from homeport Kobe.

30 December 2018Ship Collision / Allision

On December 30, 2018, at ~9:14 pm, while leaving the berth, the cruise liner collided with Delta Pier (US naval dock in Apra Harbor, Guam USA). The collision resulted in damages to both the dock and the vessel. Later, while navigating in the inner harbor, the ship contacted a fuel pipe. No injuries or fuel spillage (sea pollution) were reported.

The ship, carrying 372 passengers plus 224 crew, was en-route to Saipan Island (Northern Mariana Islands, USA), but had to return back to port for damage assessment. Emergency repairs were also required as the collision with the pier resulted in starboard hull damages (gap of approx 5x7 ft / 1,5x2 m, plus puncture holes) - all above the waterline.

During the investigation was reported that the ship's Captain had an alcohol level exceeding the legal limit of 0,15 mg/liter. According to Guam's Transport ministry officials, the breath test was performed by local authorities ~5 hours after the collision. The Captain was quoted saying that he drank following the accident to calm down.

Note: Actually, this type of marine accident is called “allision” (striking a fixed object) as opposed to “collision” (striking another vessel).