It is with the greatest sadness that we learned today of the passing of long-time TSPS member Yoshikazu Aoki.

The details of the incident that occurred yesterday (Nov. 14) remain sketchy, but we’ve learned that Aoki-san along with another man, Yoshiaki Yamamoto, was sailing for Yokohama in rough seas with two to three meter waves. Their port of departure is unknown. They were approaching Shimoda harbor for refuge when a local construction worker called the Coast Guard at 3:10PM to report a vessel floundering outside the harbor. Their vessel had apparently lost power and hit a concrete breakwater at the harbor entrance. The construction worker (perhaps working on a water project in the harbor) approached the sinking vessel and managed to bring aboard Yamamoto-san, but Aoki-san, by that time had succomed to whatever occured.

Aoki-san was a very popular and well-known sailor in Japan. He worked as a delivery skipper and delivered vessels all over the world. In 2012, a boat he was delivering from the Mediterranean Sea to Japan was set upon by Somali pirates off the coast of Africa. In the ensuing chase, his vessel suffered rifle shot but managed to evade the marauders. A video of the incident shot by a crew member was broadcast on television throughout Japan. To say that Aoki-san was an adventurous man would be a gross understatement.

Aoki-san possessed a wonderfully infectious laugh and brought enormous energy to every conversation. His passing brings on a sudden silence in the Japanese sailing community.

On behalf of the Bridge and our members, we offer our deepest condolences to Aoki-san’s family.

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Click here for a video of Aoki-san belting out a tune about the umi (the sea) at the 2012 TSPS-Hayama Joint Sail event. Clearly, the man loved the sea. Thanks to Randy Erskine for recording this.

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Please feel free to comment and/or share your memories of Aoki-san in the comment section below.

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Kirk Patterson, who is currently circumnavigating Japan solo, will give a talk on Japan as a recent maritime nation at Temple University Japan on Nov. 17. For further information about the talk and when and where it will be go to: http://www.tuj.ac.jp/icas/event/japan-and-the-sea/

Our friends at Hayama Marina are once again inviting TSPS members and their guests to join them for a day on the water. In the past, we’ve gathered at Hayama, boarded four or five boats, spent a pleasant morning and afternoon sailing, sat at anchor for lunch and a swim, then wrapped up the day with a barbecue in the boatyard (see pictures from 2012 here).  This year the plan is a little different. This time, added to the schedule is Hayama Marina’s annual Hachigatsu da yo Zenin Shugo, or  roughly, “Hey, It’s August, Dude. Let’s Party!” event.

The day will start like previous joint sails- a morning/afternoon sail, lunch at anchor, but then we return to port around 3:00PM for the 4:00PM party kick-off, and then spend the rest of the day and evening enjoying fine food and drink, Hayama’s hula, belly, and Tahiti dancers and live music. It’s sure to be a great time as always. The event wraps up at 8PM.

SIGN UP HERE

 Here are the details as provided by Maruo-san at Hayama Marina:

Date:  August  23^rd  Saturday  2014

Time:  10:00AM at Hayama Marina,

Fee:   Adults￥4,000,  Kids￥2,000

Schedule:

Part I “Joint Sailing”

10:00: Meeting time (in front of the yellow building near the boat launching facility)

10:30:  Set sail

11:30:  Anchor at Morito Bay area for  lunch, a swim, and drinks on the boat

15:00:  Back to marina, shower, beer

Part II “Hachigatudayo Zenin Shugo”

16:00:  Bar Open

More Beer & BBQ

Tahitian Dancers & Music & Band

20:00 Sayonara

Sign-up Deadline:  Aug. 11^th Monday (an early date in order to arrange enough boats)

NOTE: Non-members are welcome to attend if they become TSPS members by paying the membership fee at the event. Membership fees are here.

SIGN UP HERE

We prefer you sign up online (it’s ridiculously easy), but if necessary you can send an email providing your full name and the full names of any guest(s) to commander@tspsjapan.org

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Getting there:

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Directions to Hayama Marina

By Car:

Take Yokohama-Yokosuka Road, get off at Zushi-Interchange, take left road to Hayama, pay ¥100 at toll gate after driving through tunnel, drive about 4 kilometers, go straight under overhead bridge for pedestrian with signal, drive through tunnel, turn left at next crossing with signal (AM-PM shop right side), go straight at next signal and Hayama Marina is 50 meters ahead of the signal, right side of the road. Parking is available, cost is ¥2,000.

By Train / Bus

Train time is around 1 hour from Tokyo to either Zushi or Shin-zushi stations

If by JR (Yokosuka Line)to Zushi

Take bus no. 11 or 12  from bus stop no. 3

Get off at “ABUZURI  HAYAMA MARINA MAE.” Travel time is about 10 minutes.

Proceed about 100 meter along the road the bus is on to Hayama Marina on right side of the street.

If by Keihin-Kyuko (to Shin-Zushi) station.

Exit the platform from the exit nearest the front of the train, Go to bus stop no. 2. Same bus no. 11 or 12 stops there.

Hope to see you in Hayama on August 23.

Warren Fraser
TSPS Social Coordinator

On April 12, 2014, 5 boats and 22 TSPS members and guests participated in the first cruise of 2014. The destination was Hota, Chiba, a charming fishing port with the famous Banya seafood restaurant. A good time was had by all, and all boats returned safely to their home ports the next day.  Some photos below:

Commander Eugen Mall was recently pleased to award our Education Officer, Jeff Canaday, his 25th Merit Mark, which comes with lifetime membership in the United States Power Squadron. Jeff is a long-time member of TSPS and has been very active in setting up and teaching TSPS boating classes.

The 2014 TSPS Change of Watch was held on February 20th at the Foreign Correspondent’s Club of Japan in Yurakucho, Tokyo. Over 40 members and friends attended. Warren Fraser, TSPS commander for the last two years, kicked off the proceedings with a summary of 2013’s activities. Secretary Gary Thomas gave a run-down of the status of our incorporation initiative, which will soon reach fruition.  The high point of the proceedings was the election and swearing in of the new bridge officers for 2014, performed by District 13 Commander Doug Dworski. The members of the new bridge for 2014 are

Commander: Eugen Mall
Executive Officer: Jiro Fujiwara
Secretary: Gary Thomas
Education Officer: Jeff Canaday
Administrative Officer: David Sutton-Kirkby
Treasurer: Tony Whitman
Membership Chairman: John Marshall
Cruising Coordinator: Per Knudsen
Communications Officer: Mike Snyder
Social Activities: Warren Fraser
Public Relations: Masao Ando

Commander Doug Dworski also gave an interesting run-down of the situation with the USPS national organisation and District 13. Other attendees included the daughter and son of the  late Past Commander Shun-ichiro Yamamoto, Akiko and Hiroshi, as well as Akiko san’s husband, Motohiro. PC Yamamoto was a well-liked avid week-end sailor and kept his boat “Mambo”at Hayama Harbor. Akiko san says that she welcomes TSPS memers to sail aboard Mambo when it has passed its inspections. The event ended with the annual raffle of booty emceed by new Administrative Officer David Sutton-Kirkby, and member Demir Sadigloku was the big winner of the night. The food was good, the atmosphere scintillating, the company grand. A good evening had by all!