TOKYO: The Japan Coast Guard and others will decide as early as this month whether to salvage the sunken Kazu I tour boat, informed sources said Monday.

The boat sank off the Shiretoko Peninsula in Hokkaido, northernmost Japan, on April 23 and currently sits on a seabed at a depth of about 120 meters. Fourteen of the 26 people on board have been confirmed dead.

The hull needs to be inspected in detail in order to identify the cause of the accident. The authorities will consider whether to pull up the Kazu I or not as private-sector divers search the inside of the sunken boat.

On Tuesday, a barge operated by Nippon Salvage Co. will arrive at a port in the city Abashiri near the search site, according to the Japan Coast Guard’s 1st regional headquarters and others.

The barge carries equipment that allows divers to reach greater depth. Four divers are expected to start the inspection of the hull as early as this week to see if there is nobody left inside, and check how the vessel is damaged before the possible salvaging.

The search and inspection are slated to finish by the end of this month, and if the boat is to be salvaged, the work will start soon after.

The depth of 120 meters will not be an obstacle in salvaging the boat, a source linked to the regional coast guard headquarters said.

JIJI Press