A cargo ship collided with a recreational fishing boat off the coast of Mie Prefecture in central Japan on Friday, leaving two people dead. A 21-year-old navigator of the freighter was arrested.
The accident occurred shortly before 1 p.m. Among those on the recreational vessel, two drowned and 10 were injured.
The coast guard on Saturday arrested second-class navigator Sugimoto Hanon who was at the helm of the cargo ship, on suspicion of professional negligence resulting in death, and another charge.
The coast guard said multiple navigators on the freighter took turns looking out for collision risks and other hazards, but the arrested navigator was alone in the wheelhouse at the time of the incident.
The cargo ship rammed the right side of the smaller vessel, which was anchored in a fishing ground, according to the coast guard.
The navigator has reportedly admitted she was at the helm.
The sea is believed to have been calm around the collision site and visibility was clear. The coast guard says it has interviewed the 66-year-old captain of the recreational boat on a voluntary basis.
The Japan Transport Safety Board also plans to send its investigators to the accident site to probe details of the collision together with the coast guard.
