Japanese Ship Collided with a Cargo Ship, Killing a Captain 突发！日本船舶与货船相撞！一名船长死亡！

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According to Japanese media reports, on the evening of November 23rd local time, a ship collision occurred in the waters off Kobe Port, Japan, resulting in the death of a captain.

Reports indicate that a Japanese tugboat collided with a Marshall Islands-registered cargo ship in the waters near Kobe Port. The accident caused the former to capsize, with all three crew members on board falling into the sea.

The report states that there were no injuries on the cargo ship, and there was no water ingress or oil spillage. It has been confirmed that the deceased was the captain of the Japanese tugboat. According to the Japanese maritime authorities, at the time of the incident, the cargo ship was departing from Kobe Port en route to Singapore.

Coincidentally, on November 17th of this year, a collision involving two vessels occurred in the waters near Kudamatsu, Yamaguchi Prefecture, Japan. A tugboat towing a barge collided with a yacht during navigation, causing the yacht to sink. According to the Tokuyama Maritime Security Department of Japan, there were four people on the yacht, with three confirmed dead and one slightly injured.

据日本媒体报道，当地时间11月23日晚，日本神户港海域发生船舶相撞事故，致一名船长死亡。

据报道，一艘日本籍拖船与一艘马绍尔群岛籍货船在神户港附近海域相撞。事故导致前者倾覆，船上3人全部落海。

报道称，货船上无人受伤，也未发生船体进水或油污泄漏。经确认，死者为日本籍拖船船长。据日本海事部门消息，事发时，货船正从神户港出发前往新加坡。

无独有偶，今年11月17日，在日本山口县下松市附近海域发生两艘船只相撞事故。一艘牵引着驳船的拖船在航行中与一艘游艇相撞，事故导致游艇沉没，据日本德山海上保安部称，游艇上有4人，其中3人死亡，1人受轻伤。

Key Points in Handling Ship Collision Accidents

船舶碰撞事故处理要点

After a ship collision, to mitigate losses and facilitate the subsequent investigation of causes and assignment of responsibilities, as well as to protect legal rights and interests, shipowners should typically carry out the following tasks:

船舶发生碰撞后，为了减轻损失和便于日后查明原因、分清责任，维护合法权益，船方通常应做好下列各项工作：

1.Notification Obligation of Colliding Parties

After a ship collision, the captains of the colliding vessels should inform each other of their respective ship names, ports of registry, ports of departure and destination, and names of agents, which is a legal obligation of the captain. If the other vessel flees, the captain should try to record the name, characteristics, and direction of escape of the vessel and notify nearby port agents to clarify the specific situation and movements of the offending ship.

1、碰撞双方的通知义务

在船舶碰撞后，相碰船船长应当尽可能相互通告各自的船舶名称、船籍港、出发港和目的港以及代理名称，这是船长的一项法定义务。若对方船舶逃逸，应尽可能记下该船舶的船名、特征、逃离方向，并通知附近港口代理，弄清肇事船的具体情况和动向。

2.Timely Emergency Response

In accordance with the crew duty rules and the relevant provisions of the ship's emergency response plan, organize emergency rescue operations to minimize the losses caused by the collision and prevent further expansion of the losses.

2、及时抢险

根据船员职务规则和船舶应急部署中的有关规定，组织应急抢险，以尽量减轻因碰撞而造成的损失和防止损失的进一步扩大。

3.Obligation to Render Assistance

After a ship collision, if the other vessel and/or its crew are in danger, the captain of the involved ship must make every effort to assist the colliding vessel and/or crew, provided that it does not seriously endanger the safety of their own ship and crew. If the captain violates this legal obligation, the shipowner is not responsible for it. However, some countries' maritime laws stipulate that the captain who violates this obligation should bear criminal responsibility.

3、施救义务

船舶发生碰撞之后，如他船及(或)他船上的船员处于危险状态，当事船的船长在不严重危及本船和船上人员安全的情况下，对于相碰的船舶和(或)船上人员必须尽力施救。船长若违反这一法定义务，船舶所有人并不对其承担责任。但有些国家海商法规定，船长违反该项义务，应负刑事责任。

4.Timely Contact with the Shipping Company

After a collision occurs, the captain should promptly report the incident to the shipping company by telephone or other means, so that the company and the ship's insurance company or the shipowner's protection and indemnity club can jointly understand and determine the best handling plan. If there are agents of the shipping company, insurance companies, or the shipowner's protection and indemnity club near the site of the collision, the captain should contact them as soon as possible to obtain guidance and assistance.

4、及时与船公司联系

碰撞事故发生后，船长应尽快将事故发生情况，电告或以其他手段报告船公司，以便船公司和船舶保险公司或船东保赔协会共同研究，从而确定最佳处理方案。如果碰撞事故发生地附近有船公司的代理、保险公司或船东保赔协会的代理，船长应尽快和他们取得联系，以便获得其指导和帮助。

5.Inspect the Collision and Make On-Site Records

In addition to inspecting the collision site on their own vessel, the angle of impact, and the damage to the ship and cargo, and making written records, under permissible conditions, the captains of both colliding parties should board each other's vessels to inspect the site, understand the collision situation of the other vessel, and the damage to the vessel, cargo, and personnel caused by the collision, including the charts, bell records, navigation logs, and radar used by the other vessel, make written records, and compile on-site records of the collision. The written on-site records of the collision situation of both vessels should strive to be signed and recognized by the other captain. In addition to written on-site records, try to photograph and video record the scene as much as possible. These written on-site records and video materials can serve as evidence for subsequent case handling.

5、察看碰撞事故并作现场记录

各方除察看本船被碰位置、角度，以及船货受损情况并做好书面记录外，在条件允许的情况下，碰撞双方的船长应登上对方船舶，现场察看，了解他船碰撞情况以及因碰撞而造成的船舶、货物和人员的损害情况，包括他船使用过的海图、车钟记录、航海日志以及雷达等情况，做好书面记录，并据此编写碰撞事故现场记录。两船被碰情况的书面现场记录，应争取要求对方船长签认。另外，除了书面现场记录，对现场情况尽量进行拍照和摄像，这种书面现场记录和影像资料，可作为事后处理案件的证据。

6.Issue a Notice of Collision

After a collision occurs, regardless of who is at fault, the captain should proactively and promptly submit a “Notice of Collision” to the other captain. The notice should briefly describe the collision situation of the two vessels, including the time and place of the collision, and the damage caused by the collision. At the same time, it should also declare that the other party is responsible for all consequences arising from the collision and strive for the other captain to sign and recognize the notice. For the “Notice of Collision” submitted by the other captain and requiring the captain of this vessel to sign and recognize, the captain of this vessel can sign and recognize the date and time of receipt on the notice and indicate the right to appeal, rather than hastily admitting the vessel's responsibility for the accident.

6、办理船舶碰撞通知书

碰撞事故发生后，无论何方责任，船长应尽可能主动、及时地向对方船长提交“碰撞事故通知书”( Notice of Collision )。通知书上应简要说明两船碰撞情况，包括碰撞事故发生的时间和地点、因碰撞而造成的损害等。同时，还应声明，要求对方对因碰撞而产生的一切后果负责，并争取对方船长在通知书上签认。对于对方船长提交并要求本船船长签认的“碰撞事故通知书”，本船船长可在通知书上签署收到的日期和时间，并注明保留申诉权，而不应草率承认本船对事故的责任。

7.Agree on an Inspection Location with the Other Vessel 

If the ship collision occurs in the port or under permissible conditions, the captains of both vessels should agree to go to a repair port together, hire a ship surveyor to inspect the damage to both vessels, and request the surveyor to issue an inspection report as the main basis for ship repair and subsequent handling of ship collision damage compensation. If the inspection of the underwater parts such as the hull, vehicle, and rudder needs to be postponed until the next dock repair, it should be indicated in the inspection report. When inspecting the damage caused by the ship collision, representatives from all parties should be required to participate.

7、与他船约定检验地点

若船舶碰撞发生在港内或条件许可时，两船船长应约定同去一个修船港，聘请验船师对两船的受损情况进行检验，并要求验船师对检验结果出具检验报告，以便作为修船和将来处理船舶碰撞损害赔偿的主要依据。对船壳、车、舵等水下部分的检验，如需留待下次坞修时再进行，应在检验报告里注明。在对船舶碰撞损坏进行检验时，应要求各方派代表参加。

8.Submit a Marine Protest and Marine Report

Upon arrival at the first port of berth after the collision, the captain should immediately submit a marine report to the local port authorities, obtain a visa, and then send a copy to the other party. If it is estimated that the cargo may be damaged after the ship collision, but the damage is not clear, the captain should also submit a marine protest to the port authorities at the same time, obtain a visa, and then send a copy to the cargo party and other relevant parties. When submitting the above documents, the captain can adopt the customary format of the local port, and pay attention to using rigorous and accurate language to narrate the facts in the content. The marine report should seriously, completely, and fully record the time, place, collision process, and damage situation of the accident.

8、提交海事声明和海事报告

在船舶抵达碰撞事故发生后第一挂靠港时，船长应立即向当地港口当局提交海事报告，取得签证后，抄送对方。如果船舶碰撞发生后，估计货物有可能遭受损害，但损害情况又不明确，则船长还应同时向港口当局提交海事声明，取得签证后，抄送货方及其他有关方。在提交上述文件时，船长可以采取当地港口的习惯格式，在内容上应注意采用严谨准确的文字叙述事实。海事报告的内容应认真、完整和详实地记录事故发生的时间、地点、碰撞过程、损害情况等。

9.Provide the Appropriate Guarantee

If the vessel suffers losses in the collision accident, the other vessel should be required to provide a reliable guarantee to ensure that the losses of this vessel can be fully compensated. The form of guarantee can be a cash guarantee, a bank guarantee, an insurance company guarantee, or a protection and indemnity club guarantee. If the other party refuses to provide a guarantee, consider whether to apply to the maritime authorities or the maritime court to detain the other party's vessel according to the situation. If the other party requires us to provide a guarantee, promptly consult the company, and the shipping company will be responsible for handling the necessary guarantee procedures.

9、提供相应的担保

如果在碰撞事故中本船受到损失，应要求对方船舶提供可靠的担保，从而保证本船的损失能得到充分的赔偿。担保形式可以是现金担保、银行担保、保险公司或保赔协会担保。若对方拒绝提供担保，可根据情况，考虑是否申请海事主管部门或海事法院扣留对方船舶。如果对方要求我方提供担保，应及时请示公司，由船公司负责办理必要担保手续。

10.Prepare the Materials to be Used in Accident Handling

After a ship collision accident, the captain and crew should immediately collect, record, and save information about the collision as much as possible in detail to prepare for the investigation and handling by the competent authorities. As direct witnesses at the scene of the accident, the evidence provided by the captain and crew plays a very important role in damage claims or defenses. These materials usually include but are not limited to:

(1) Marine report;

(2) Abstracts of navigation logs, turbine logs, and telegraph record books;

(3) Original charts marked with the original route and ship position;

(4) Relative motion diagram of the vessel;

(5) Ship damage inspection report;

(6) Proof of ship damage;

(7) Reports of pilots and tugs;

(8) Written records and audio-visual materials of the scene inspection after the ship collision;

(9) Notice of ship collision;

(10) Other relevant materials.

10、准备好在事故处理中将采用的材料

船舶碰撞事故发生后，船长和船员应立即尽量详细地收集、记录和保存有关碰撞情况的资料，以备接受主管机关的调查处理。作为事故发生现场的直接证人，船长、船员所提供的证据对损害索赔或抗辩起着非常重要的作用。这些材料通常包括但不限于:

(1)海事报告;

(2)航海日志、轮机日志和车钟记录簿摘要;

(3)标有原航线和船位的原始海图;

(4)船舶相对运动图;

(5)船舶损坏检验报告;

(6)船损证明材料;

(7)引航员和拖船的报告;

(8)船舶碰撞发生后现场察看书面记录和影视资料;

(9)船舶碰撞事故通知书;

(10)其他有关材料。

Review of Collision Facts and Liability Determination

碰撞事实的审查和责任认定

Typical Case:

典型案例：

On December 16, 2006, a Japanese-registered vessel collided with a vessel chartered by a Hong Kong shipping company in the waters of the Yangtze River estuary in Shanghai.

2006年12月16日，一艘日本籍船舶与一艘香港船舶公司租赁的船舶在上海长江口水域发生碰撞。

This case involves a dispute over liability for damages resulting from a collision between two bareboat chartered vessels in a specific water area. The plaintiff, as the bareboat charterer of the Japanese-registered vessel, had signed a bareboat charter contract with the owner of the vessel and operated the vessel in actuality. The defendant, on the other hand, is the owner and bareboat charterer of the vessel chartered by the Hong Kong shipping company. The plaintiff requested the court to order the defendant to compensate for the losses and interest caused by the collision at a responsibility ratio of 80%. The defendant argued that the plaintiff failed to prove that its bareboat charter contract had been registered according to law, and therefore lacked the standing to sue.

本案涉及两艘光租船舶在特定水域发生碰撞的损害责任纠纷。原告为日本籍船舶的光船承租人，与船舶所有人签订了光船租赁合同，并实际营运该船舶。被告方则为香港船舶公司租赁的船舶的所有人和光船承租人。原告请求法院判令被告方按照80%的责任比例赔偿因碰撞造成的损失及利息。被告方抗辩称，原告未能证明其光船租赁合同已依法登记，因此不具备诉讼主体资格。

After trial，the court held that the plaintiff, as the bareboat charterer, had actual control and management of the vessel, and bore the losses generated by the vessel's collision, thus granting the plaintiff the standing to sue. In accordance with Article 6 of the Regulations of the People's Republic of China Governing the Registration of Ships, the establishment, transfer, and perishment of the right to bareboat charter must be registered, and without registration, it cannot be asserted against third parties. However, in this case, the rights claimed by the third party must be related to the establishment, transfer, and perishment of the right to bareboat charter. Since the rights claimed by the defendant were unrelated to the transaction of the bareboat charter right, the registration status of the plaintiff's bareboat charter contract did not affect the realization of the defendant's rights. The court ultimately confirmed that the plaintiff had the right, as the bareboat charterer, to claim compensation for the losses resulting from the collision accident.

法院审理后认为，原告作为光船承租人，已实际控制并管理船舶，且因船舶碰撞产生的损失由其实际承担，因此原告具有诉讼主体资格。根据《中华人民共和国船舶登记条例》第六条，光船租赁权的设定、转移和消灭应当登记，未经登记不得对抗第三人。但在此情况下，第三人主张的权利请求必须是与光船租赁权的设定、转移和消灭相关。由于被告方的权利请求与光船租赁权的交易无关，因此原告光船租赁合同的登记与否不影响被告方的权利实现。法院最终确认原告有权以光船承租人的身份就碰撞事故产生的损失提出索赔。

1. Review of Collision Facts

1.Time, place, and pattern of ship collision

The time, place, and pattern of the ship collision should be determined by comprehensively analyzing the ship's VDR data, AIS data records, maritime accident investigation forms, maritime reports, navigation logs, charts, voyage ship positions, and statements of the captain, crew, and other informed personnel involved in the incident.

2.Whether there is fault in ship collisions.

Whether there is actual fault, such as excessive speed, violation of collision avoidance rules during encounters, improper anchorage position, incorrect display of lights and shapes, and violation of fog navigation rules; whether there is legal presumed fault, such as one party has proven that the other party has violated navigation rules, including international or local navigation rules, then the party that violates the navigation rules is presumed to have fault.

一、碰撞事实的审查

1、船舶碰撞的时间、地点和格局

应当综合分析船舶VDR数据、AIS数据记录、海事事故调查表、海事报告、航海日志、海图、航次船位，以及当事船长、船员和其他知情人员的陈述确定。

2、船舶碰撞中是否存在过失

是否存在实际过失，如船速过快、会遇时违反避碰规则、锚泊位置不当、未正确显示号灯号型、违规雾航等；是否存在法律推定过失，如一方已证明另一方违反航行规则，包括国际性的或者地方性的航行规则，则推定违反航行规则的一方存在过失。

1. Determination of Collision Liability

二、碰撞责任的认定

(I) General Determination of Collision Liability

（一）一般碰撞责任的认定

1.Subject of Collision Liability

(1) In principle, the owner of the vessel is considered the subject of collision liability;

(2) If the colliding vessel is under bareboat charter and registered in accordance with the law, the bareboat charterer is considered the subject of collision liability;

(3) If the operator or manager of the vessel is at fault for the collision, they shall bear joint liability with the owner or bareboat charterer.

1、碰撞责任主体

（1）原则上由船舶所有人作为碰撞责任主体；

（2）碰撞船舶在光船租赁期间并经依法登记的，由光船承租人作为碰撞责任主体；

（3）船舶经营人或者管理人对船舶碰撞有过失的，与船舶所有人或者光船承租人承担连带责任。

2.Determination of No-Fault Collision Liability

Situations where parties involved in the collision are not liable for compensation:

• Collision caused by force majeure;
• Collision caused by reasons not attributable to any party;
• Collision caused by reasons that cannot be determined.

2、无过失碰撞责任的认定

碰撞各方互相不负赔偿责任的情形：

（1）不可抗力导致碰撞；

（2）其他不能归责于任何一方的原因导致碰撞；

（3）无法查明的原因导致碰撞。

3.Determination of Fault Collision Liability

(1) If the fault of one vessel causes the collision, that vessel shall bear the compensation liability;

(2) If both vessels are at fault, each shall bear compensation liability according to the proportion of their fault;

(3) If the degree of fault is equal or indeterminate, they shall bear compensation liability on an average basis.

3、过失碰撞责任的认定

（1）一船过失导致碰撞，由过失船负赔偿责任；

（2）互有过失导致碰撞，各船按照过失程度的比例负赔偿责任；

（3）过失程度相当或者过失程度的比例无法判定，平均负赔偿责任。

4.Proportion of Fault

In collisions where both parties are at fault, the proportion of fault for each vessel should be determined in accordance with the 1972 Convention on the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea and relevant Chinese laws, regulations, and navigation rules.

It is noteworthy that the 1972 Convention on the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea do not exempt any vessel or its owner, master, or crew from liability for any consequences resulting from negligence in complying with the rules, or from any negligence in the usual practices of seamen or any additional precautions required by special circumstances at the time.

4、过失程度的比例认定

在互有过失碰撞中，应结合《1972年国际海上避碰规则》及我国相关法律法规和航行规则判断各船过失程度的比例。

值得注意的是，《1972年国际海上避碰规则》并不免除任何船舶或其所有人、船长或船员由于对遵守该规则各条的任何疏忽，或者对海员通常做法或当时特殊情况可能要求的任何戒备上的疏忽而产生的各种后果的责任。

(II) Special Determination of Collision Liability

（二）特殊碰撞责任的认定

1.Collision Liability in Towing Operations

The collision liability in towing operations should be determined in conjunction with the obligations of the towing vessel and the towed vessel.

Obligations of the Towing Vessel:

• The towing vessel should be seaworthy and suitable for towing;
• The master of the towing vessel should exercise reasonable caution and good seamanship in towing;

(3) When towing under the direction of the towed vessel, comply with its instructions and warn against obviously unsafe orders;

(4) Comply with the collision avoidance rules and correctly display navigation lights and shapes;

(5) Complete the towing work within a reasonable time if no agreement is made.

1、拖航作业中的碰撞责任

应结合拖船和被拖船的义务确定拖航作业中的碰撞责任。

拖船义务：

（1）拖船应适航且适配；

（2）拖船船长应合理谨慎拖带并运用良好技艺；

（3）在被拖船指挥拖带时，遵守被拖船指令并对明显不安全指令予以提醒；

（4）遵守避碰规则，正确显示号灯、号型；

（5）无约定时，在合理的时间内完成拖带工作。

Obligations of the Towed Vessel:

• Issue reasonable and safe instructions to the towing vessel during towing;
• Ensure its own stability and safety;
• Comply with the collision avoidance rules and correctly display navigation lights and shapes;
• The towed vessel should be in a towable condition and accurately inform the towing vessel of its condition, providing relevant certificates and documents.

被拖船义务：

（1）拖带中向拖船发出合理、安全的指令；

（2）保证自身的稳性和安全；

（3）遵守避碰规则，正确显示号灯、号型；

（4）被拖船应处于适拖状态并向拖船如实说明被拖船的情况，提供相关证书、文件。

2.Collision Liability in Pilotage Operations

The master's responsibility for managing and navigating the vessel is not relieved by the presence of a pilot.

2、引航作业中的碰撞责任

船长管理船舶和驾驶船舶的责任，不因引航员引领船舶而解除。

3.Collision Liability of the Owner of a Sunken Vessel

After a vessel sinks, the owner of the sunken vessel should properly handle the sunken vessel within a reasonable time and establish clear and conspicuous warning signs. Otherwise, if another vessel collides with the sunken vessel, the owner of the sunken vessel shall bear the collision liability.

 3、沉船所有人的碰撞责任

船舶沉没后，沉船所有人应在合理的时间内对沉船作出妥善处理，设立清晰醒目的警示标志。否则，其他船舶与沉船发生碰撞事故的，沉船应当承担碰撞责任。

In the handling of ship collision accidents, following the above points is crucial. These steps not only help to protect the safety of crew members and vessels but also ensure that liability for the accident is reasonably apportioned and provide a solid foundation for subsequent legal proceedings and compensation matters.

在船舶碰撞事故的处理中，遵循上述要点是至关重要的。这些步骤不仅有助于保护船员和船舶的安全，还能确保事故责任得到合理划分，并为后续的法律程序和赔偿事宜提供坚实的基础。

 With the integration of the global economy and the booming shipping industry, maritime transportation is becoming increasingly busy, with a continuous increase in the number of vessels and a corresponding significant growth in the number of crew members. In the event of a ship collision at sea that involves the rescue of crew members, a professional rescue platform is required. E-PORTS has extensive experience in crew rescue and has successfully handled many emergency rescue cases. If needed, inquiries can be made by calling 400-9208810.

随着全球经济一体化，航运业蓬勃发展，海上运输日益繁忙，船只数量不断增加，相应的船员数量也大幅增长。如果船舶在海上发生碰撞，一旦涉及到船员救助，需要专业的救助平台，E-PORTS拥有丰富的船员救助经验，曾成功处理多起紧急救助案件。如有需求，可拨打400-9208810咨询。