Talk:Kazu I

Update 2022.12.19

A government committee (運輸安全委員会) released a 70-page report today; covered by HTB news (Hokkaido) <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wl6M9lpMmZw>; HTB provides ample computer graphics to illustrate the problems. In addition to the series of maintenance problems previously reported; the committee identifies the key glitch (timestamp 3:00) as the front hatch, which could not be fastened securely: water from the high waves crashing over the prow leaked into the front of the boat, eventually dislodging the hatch completely (3:53, flies into the window). This was noticed two days before the accident during a safety drill in which members of other cruise companies participated (4:20). Because of the design of the boat, the skipper could not see the hatch from the bridge (5:45). A second problem (6:35) was that when the second engine was removed and 1.5 tons of sand bags were stowed in the aft compartment as counterweight, the inspector approved the change on the condition that the sand bags remained in the aft compartment, but the owner decided otherwise, with the result that the front of the boat was heavier than it should have been. This story doesn't seem to be carried by other media; maybe it will show up on a slow news day. I didn't check Japan Times because of the Paywall. The number of recovered bodies is now 20. The Cabinet Secretary announced that the search for the 6 missing persons will continue. Vagabond nanoda (talk) 09:45, 19 December 2022 (UTC)