Key Facts
• June 27, 9:20 PM: Tugboat and barge ran aground near Futagami Island.
• Operated by a Kobe-based company, the tugboat was en route from Kudamatsu to Onomichi.
• Crew: Captain (64) and operator (52), both from Onomichi, Hiroshima.
• No injuries, oil spills, or water ingress reported.
• Salvage operation completed at 9:45 AM on June 28.
• Clear visibility during the incident; investigation into the cause ongoing.
Summary
A tugboat towing a barge ran aground on the western coast of Futagami Island, off Matsuyama, Ehime Prefecture, on the night of June 27. The vessel, operated by a Kobe-based company, was traveling from Kudamatsu, Yamaguchi Prefecture, to Onomichi, Hiroshima Prefecture. The crew, consisting of a 64-year-old captain and a 52-year-old operator, both residents of Onomichi, were unharmed. No environmental damage, such as oil spills or water ingress, occurred. A salvage vessel successfully freed the tugboat and barge by 9:45 AM on June 28. The Japan Coast Guard is investigating the cause of the incident, which occurred under clear visibility conditions.
