A ferry captain faces charges of negligence in connection with a maritime accident wherein his vessel ran aground off the coast of Japan's northern main island of Hokkaido on July 2 last year.
At around 01:00 on the said date, the 8,900GT Ro-Pax ferry Silver Breeze crashed into the breakwater at Hokkaido's Tomakomai West Port after having earlier departed Hachinohe in Aomori Prefecture.
The vessel's bow sustained significant damage from the impact, though no injuries have been reported among the 140 passengers and crew.
An investigation by the Japan Coast Guard determined that the grounding was caused by human error, particularly the failure of the captain to confirm the vessel's position and course via radar or electronic chart.
The investigation showed that the captain was aware of the presence of the breakwater near the ferry prior to the crash but did not properly confirm his vessel's position and course.
The coast guard has since referred the case to a prosecutor for the filing of appropriate charges.