06-07-2025
Corpse found aboard fishing boat that went missing off Shimoda
SHIZUOKA (TR) – The Shimoda Coast Guard last week said that a small fishing boat that went missing east of Shimoda City earlier this year was found drifting in the Pacific Ocean with one body aboard on July 2, reports Shizuoka Asahi TV (July 4).
On March 29, the coast guard received a call saying that the small fishing boat No. 16 Somaru — with a capacity of 7.3 tons — that had left Oshima Motomachi Port in Oshima-cho, Tokyo, had not returned.
A man in his 70s was on board the boat alone. He had been fishing around Oshima. The coast guard conducted a search but was unable to find the vessel.
On June 30, the coast guard received a report that a small boat had been seen drifting on the Pacific Ocean. Based on the fishing boat registration number, it was deemed highly likely it was the No. 16 Somaru . The coast guard then dispatched two patrol boats to the area.
On the night of July 2, patrol boat Kurikoma discovered the No. 16 Somaru , which was drifting in the Pacific Ocean about 1,350 kilometers from Shimoda. When seamen checked the ship, they found the body lying on the deck.
The body was so badly decomposed that it was impossible to determine its gender. The coast guard will now attempt to confirm its identity using DNA and dental records.
