On November 9, 1974, the Yuyo Maru No.10 (第十雄洋丸?), a Japanese LPG tanker, collided with the Pacific Alice, a Liberian freighter, in Tokyo Bay. 3 hours after the collision, a major explosion and fire occurred on the tanker, which was a unique design carrying both naphtha and LPG. The naphtha fire lasted for a week before the Japan Self-Defense Forces sank the stricken vessel. The accident resulted in 33 deaths (28 on board Pacific Alice, 5 on board Yuyo Maru No.10) and 8 injuries.[1]
The Special Rescue Team (SRT) was established in October 1975, with an initial strength of 5 members, in response to this accident.[2] The team was initially trained by the Tokyo Fire Department's Special Rescue Team.
In April 1986, the SRT was shifted to its current location at the Haneda Special Rescue Station.