The fire on the tugboat Cebu Maru (weighing 237 tons) occurred on October 22, 2023, about 20 nautical miles north of Miyako Island in Japan. The boat, which was heading towards the Philippines, caught fire on Friday morning around 8:15 local time. This boat, built in 1997 and measuring 36 meters in length, had recently changed its flag to Mongolia.
Rescue and Firefighting Operations
The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force immediately dispatched an aircraft to the scene after receiving the fire report. The aircraft successfully identified a lifeboat approximately 300 meters from the tugboat. At 10:30 AM, a patrol boat from the Self-Defense Force was able to rescue five people from the lifeboat and also began firefighting operations.
Disappearance and Death of a Crew Member
Initial reports indicated that another crew member, likely the chief engineer of the boat, was missing. Search operations began to locate this individual. Teams were able to reach the tugboat around 4 PM and found an unconscious body. This individual was later identified as the deceased.
This incident highlights the dangers posed by fires on maritime vessels and the challenges faced by the maritime forces. It also raises the need for more thorough investigations into vessel safety and rescue protocols in emergency situations.
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