Coast Guard seizes just-salvaged Kazu I pleasure boat in Hokkaido

The Kazu I pleasure boat arrives in Hokkaido aboard a barge on May 27 and is covered in blue plastic sheets. Takayuki Kakuno ABASHIRI, Hokkaido - The Japan Coast Guard took the unusual step of obtaining a warrant to take possession of the just-salvaged Kazu I pleasure boat as part of its investigation into the April 23 sinking off the Shiretoko Peninsula that is thought to have claimed 26 lives.

The Kazu I was lifted off the seabed early May 27 and into a barge now anchored at the Port of Abashiri.

The Coast Guard investigators wanted uninterrupted access as they pursued their suspicions of professional negligence resulting in death.

Investigators were to go over the pleasure boat from top to bottom along with Seiichi Katsurada, 58, the president of Shiretoko Pleasure Boat, operator of the Kazu I, from the afternoon of May 28.

Plastic sheets were installed on poles arranged around the boat. Seawater was still being removed from the Kazu I.

Investigators plan to take a close look at the engine room in their search for evidence.

Coast Guard officials say that both Katsurada and Noriyuki Toyoda, the skipper who is still missing, appear to have been negligent in ensuring the passengers would arrive safely back to port.

Coast Guard officials will look into the damage to the boat, as well as checking if the proper safety equipment is kept onboard.

Coast Guard officials usually don't require a warrant to pursue an investigation. They often look at the boat involved in an accident at the scene where it occurred.

The Coast Guard decided to obtain a warrant to seize the Kazu I, due to the gravity of the accident and the possibility that the investigation could take months.

The boat could be moved to dry land on the barge as early as May 30.

That will allow investigators to examine the boat's condition and damage, as well as analyze data that may be stored on meters and gauges.