15 hurt after shuttle boat rams into Kobe Airport facility

so the pilot hit something on the wharf or a buoy in the sea?

Not clear at all from the article but the news on tv suggested a buoy.....

The captain as saying the collision occurred after he lost his bearings."

Translation he was sleeping or using his smartphone.

The ferry normally has to slow down before going under the bridge to the island where Kobe Airport is, bearing to port (left) where it is supposed to be fairly slow, a couple of poles with lights on them to left and then go directly to moor at the pier on the starboard (right), bow (front) facing the land.

In other words, look out for the big pole with a bright light on it - don't hit it!

Seeing damage on the port bow this morning on the news, it is like the vessel never slowed down.

My wife said, 'Let's not sit up the front any more.'

Hope the people were not too hurt nor put out.

Just hope that they don't suspend Bay Shuttle indefinitely - that would really upset travel plans coming from Shikoku.

The ferry is great for people living near Kobe Airport because the parking is much much cheaper than KIX. I hope it continues and speedy recovery to all.

Buoys and beacons are usually color coded. Japan uses the IALA B system, the one I saw in the video I did not recognize, no real color to it! But, if the captain has been doing this route for any amount of time, he should have known where and what it was, and where he was! Whether or not he was in a hurry to dock on time, daydreaming, looking at his smartphone, or lost his bearings in bad weather, he is still responsible! He has a radar and charts; I looked at the official site and it says 110 person capacity, not sure of how many crew members were on board, or if anyone else was in the pilothouse with him to assist.

I hope all recover from their injuries asap!

The operator of the ferry service quoted the captain as saying the collision occurred after he lost his bearings.

Is this a case of another new recruit without experience being used to cut cost and increase the incomes

of the unproductive oyajis in the office.

Talk about euphemism. "Lost my bearings, shucks darn!" With all of the modern equipment ships have today, not to mention CBs, lights, and what not, there is no excuse except for poor piloting.

Dreadful. Hope all injured and traumatised in the accident recover soon.

"Top tip" of the day, if your lost or confused where to go, lost your bearings, slow down or stop.

I just re-watched the video, and it said what he hit was a guide light for the airport, don't know why I did not catch it the first time!

84 ton vessels are not ships. They are boats. 500 tons or higher is generally accepted as the minimum to be considered at ship.