Press Releases


February 26, 2008
The Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology

Research on Collision between MSDF DDG ATAGO and a fish boat SEITOKU MARU
-More objects found during the search operation by the Research Vessel KAIYO-

The Deep Ocean Floor Survey System DEEP TOW spotted more manmade objects, which are the fifth and sixth findings, during the research on the collision between MSDF DDG ATAGO and a fish boat SEITOKU MARU being carried out by the Research Vessel KAIYO belongs to the Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC; Mr. Yasuhiro Kato, President).

1. Found objects

Photograph 1

(1) Location :
North Latitude 34.31, East Longitude 139.49, Water depth 1,827m (Please refer to Fig.1)
(2) Photographed date and time
: 11:01 February 26, 2008

Photograph 2

(1) Location :
North Latitude 34.31, East Longitude 139.49, Water depth 1,826m
(2) Photographed date and time:
11:25 February 26, 2008

JAMSTEC provided the information to the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) and we heard that the MEXT provided it to the Crisis Center in the Prime Minister’s Office, the Japan Coast Guard and the Ministry of Defense. At this moment, we have not informed if the Japan Coast Guard makes any decision about relation between these findings and this accident.

2. Further research

The KAIYO arrived at the private quay of JAMSTEC Yokosuka Headquarter at 17:00 on February 26, 2008. The Research Vessel NATSUSHIMA is scheduled to sail off at noon on February 27, 2008 for continuing research.

Please note that the schedule may change due to the weather condition or other factors.

Fig.1 Research Area
: location of the object spotted and photographed
: research area

Photograph 1: found object - approximately 1m long
(North Latitude 34.31, East Longitude 139.49, Water Depth 1,827m)

Photograph 2: found object - approximately 30cm x 20cm x 20cm
(North Latitude 34.31, East Longitude 139.49, Water Depth 1,826m)

Contacts:

Shinji Oshima, email: press@jamstec.go.jp
Manager, Planning Department Press Office
The Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology