The public broadcaster, NHK says, the Japanese coast guard ordered patrol ships and aircraft to look for a sightseeing boat that went missing with 26 passengers on board.

It was sinking off the northern island of Hokkaido on Saturday.

Authorities lost communication with the Kazu 1 boat’s crew when they reported water was flowing into the vessel’s stern and it was sinking.

People on board were also wearing life jackets, according to the crew, and the boat was keeling at a 30-degree angle.

There were 24 passengers, including two children, and two crew members.

The management lost contact after reporting that the boat was taking on water off the Shiretoko Peninsula of Hokkaido, northern Japan.

The coast guard received contact around 1:15 p.m.

They immediately ordered five patrol boats and two aircrafts for the rescue.

No one answered calls to the office that runs the Kazu 1 tours.

The homepage revealed that the ship holds 65 people.

And the tour around Shiretoko area, lasts around three hours.

The boat left the Utoro port around 10 a.m., and was expected to return bu 1 p.m.

Boats had returned to the port by mid-morning, due to high waves.

According to NHK, the sightseeing boat had been in the area of the Shiretoko Peninsula, in the northern part of Japan’s northernmost island.

It was believed to have been near the Kashinu Falls.