Hokkaido, Japan—A collision between two fishing boats off the coast left one fisherman missing this morning. The incident took place during the early hours as the vessels were traveling toward their fishing grounds. The other crew members involved were rescued by nearby boats.

The local Coast Guard dispatched patrol ships and aircraft to the site of the collision immediately. Divers are currently searching the submerged wreckage, which rests in shallow coastal waters. High swells have complicated the efforts to dive near the impact point.

One of the vessels sustained significant damage and took on water before sinking. The captain and two other crew members were pulled from the sea shortly after the impact. They are currently being treated for hypothermia and shock at a regional hospital.

The search for the remaining missing person continues as the sun begins to set. Coast Guard officials stated that they have expanded the search radius based on current drift calculations. Local fishing cooperatives are assisting in the operation with their own fleet.

The cause of the collision is being investigated by the maritime safety agency. Both captains are scheduled for formal interviews once they have recovered from their immediate medical needs. Preliminary reports suggest visibility might have been a factor during the dawn hours.

The area is heavily trafficked by fishing fleets during the summer season. Port authorities have temporarily halted all non-essential departures to clear the way for rescue vessels. The community is holding a vigil at the harbor while they wait for updates.

The missing fisherman has been identified as a veteran crew member from a neighboring town. His family has been provided with a private area at the port to meet with rescue coordinators. Officials are focusing all available resources on the search tonight.

Operations will continue throughout the night using high-intensity searchlights. A sonar unit has been deployed to scan the seabed for any traces of the missing boat or the crew member. No secondary incidents have been reported in the surrounding waters.