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 And further research plan-
The Deep Ocean Floor Survey System DEEP TOW spotted more manmade objects, which is 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 1,835m (Please refer to Fig.1)
- (2) Photographed date and time
- : 13:22 February 25, 2008
Photograph 2
- (1) Location :
- North Latitude 34.31, East Longitude 139.49, Water depth 1,834m
- (2) Photographed date and time
- : 11:58 February 25, 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 search operation by KAIYO and DEEP TOW finished on February 26, 2008. For more precise research, the Research Vessel NATSUSHIMA and the Remotely Operated Vehicle HYPER-DOLPHIN will be utilized from February 27, 2008. Please note that the schedule may change due to the weather condition or other factors.
Fig.1 Research Area
( 
: objects spotted and photographed location, 
: research area)
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
