4 CONCLUSIONS
4.1 Probable Causes
It is probable that the accident occurred because Officer A who was on the sole look-out on the
bridge had fallen asleep, while the Ship was proceeding north-eastward through the Harima Nada
Sea toward the west entrance of the Akashi Strait with the autopilot steering at night, and the Ship
proceeded toward the Sea Wall and collided with it.
As to why Officer A had fallen asleep, is probable that he was sitting on the Chair without his
drowsiness relieved, even though he began to feel drowsy and walked around in the bridge to relieve
his drowsiness.