February 25, 2008
The Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology
Research on Collision between MSDF DDG ATAGO and a fish boat SEITOKU MARU
-Objects found during the search operation by JAMSTEC’s Research Vessel KAIYO-
The Research Vessel KAIYO with the Deep Ocean Floor Survey System DEEP TOW belongs to the Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC; Mr. Yasuhiro Kato, President) are carrying out the research on the collision between DDG ATAGO and a fish boat SEITOKU MARU.
During the search operation, the DEEP TOW spotted objects which are seemingly manmade.
Photograph 1
- (1) Location :
- North Latitude 34.31, East Longitude 139.49, Water depth 1,832m (Please refer to Fig.1)
- (2) Photographed date and time
- : 13:29 February 24, 2008
Photograph 2
- (1) Location :
- North Latitude 34.31, East Longitude 139.49, Water depth 1,835m
- (2) Photographed date and time
- : 12:18 February 24, 2008
JAMSTEC provided the information to the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) and we heard that the MEXT provided the information to the Crisis Center in the Prime Minister’s Office, the Japan Coast Guard and the Ministry of Defense. Currently, we have not informed if the Japan Coast Guard makes any decision about relation between these findings and the accident.
Fig.1. Research Area
( 
indicates the spot where the photographs taken)
Photograph 1
Photograph 2
Contacts:
-
Shinji Oshima, email: press@jamstec.go.jp
Manager, Planning Department Press Office
The Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology
