TOKYO, March 11 (Xinhua) -- Japan's Sado Steam Ship Co., the operator of a jetfoil ferry that collided with a marine animal off Japan's Sado Island in the Sea of Japan, expressed the company's apology on Monday, revealing more details of the incident that has left 87 injured.
"We deeply apologize to those who were injured and the people concerned," said Takeshi Ogawa, president of Sado Steam Ship Co., at a press conference in Niigata city.
The incident occurred at around 12:15 p.m. on Saturday local time after the ferry left Niigata Port on Japan's main island at noon, carrying 121 passengers and four crew, according to coast guard officials.
The jetfoil ferry was running at a speed of around 74 km an hour about 4.5 km northeast of Sado Island when it hit a "white object," the ship company said.
The collision with a whale or some sea creature left 87 injured, 13 of whom suffered serious injuries such as broken bones, according to the ship operator. The blow also left a 17-cm crack at the ship's stern.
Ogawa said the vessel's reaction to the accident was "appropriate," as it veered to the right while slowing down in an attempt to avoid the "obstacle."
Sado Steam Ship said that in order to prevent similar incidents from happening again, it will reinforce measures such as expanding low-speed sailing zones and redesigning safety belts.
An investigation into whether professional negligence caused the accident was launched by the Japan Coast Guard, while the local bureau of the transport ministry started a probe into the company's safety management system.
The jetfoil ferry, propelled by a high pressure jet of seawater, can run at a speed of 80 km per hour. Its hydrofoil wings were also damaged in the accident.
