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Tag: East China Sea

Fire off Marado Island

Fire off Marado Island

Marado Island Fire
Photo: nate.com

On the early morning of October 12, a 129 ton fishing vessel (name not disclosed) caught fire in the East China Sea some 34 kilometers southeast of Marado Island in Seogwipo, Jeju, South Korea. The fire started in the engine room of the purse seiner and quickly spread through the vessel.  The crew alerted the South Korean Coast Guard who dispatched a helicopter along with 5 patrol boats to assist.  The Coast Guard also asked nearby vessel to aid the fishing vessel. The 27 crew members on board the fishing vessel would be later rescued by a nearby vessel.  Six crew members had sustain injuries including smoke inhalation and burns to the face and arms. They would be later transported to hospital in Jeju City for treatment.

Marado Island Fire
Photo: nate.com

Reports stated the patrol vessels arrived on the scene and used water cannons to extinguish the blaze. The extent of damage caused by the fire was not disclosed. Authorities have launched an investigation. Initial reports state the crew heard a loud bang right before the fire started.

2066 Jae Sung Ho

2066 Jae Sung Ho

2066 Jae Sung Ho
Photo: Jeju Coast Guard

On the evening of February 12, the 14 meter long, 32 ton fishing vessel 2066 Jae Sung Ho (MMSI: 440012160) capsized in East China Sea about 8 kilometers off the coast of Seogwipo, Jeju Island.  Authorities received an emergency alert signal via very high frequency (VHF-DSC) radio with the Korean Coast Guard dispatching a patrol vessel.  The patrol vessel arrived on site and found 3 crew in a life raft, 1 crew member on the overturn hull of the 2066 Jae Sung Ho and 1 crew person in the water. The 5 were rescued by the patrol boat and all were reported to be in good health.

Authorities are conducting a search for the remaining missing crew members.  Reports state 17 vessels aided by multiple civilian fishing vessels and a helicopter are searching the surrounding area. News reports state there was a strong wind advisory at the time of the incident. Winds were reported to have gusts up to 45 miles per hour and waves reaching 3 meters.

22 Seokyung

22 Seokyung

22 Seokyung

On the early morning of February 9, the 43 meter long, 139 ton fishing vessel 22 Seokyung (MMSI: 440106630) capsized and sank in the East China Sea 17 kilometers east of Habaekdo Island off the coast from Yeosu, South Korea.  Reports state the vessel with 14 crew had suddenly capsized due to bad weather.  Search and rescue by the Korea Coast Guard aided by nearby fishing vessels were able to pull  7 crew from the water. Three crew, including the captain of the 22 Seokyung, were found floating unconscious.  Attempts to revive the crew members were unsuccessful.  The other four crew were found in a life raft.  They were rescued and later taken to Chukjeong on Narodo Island for treatment from hypothermia and non life-threatening injuries.

Authorities conducted a five-kilometer search around the are where the fishing vessel sank for the remaining missing crew.  The Coast Guard deployed 19 vessels aided by four aircraft while divers were used to see if the the crew were trapped within the vessel.  Testimony provided by the 4 surviving crew stated the 6 missing members were most likely below deck when the 22 Seokyung capsized.

Reports also state the fishing vessel had capsized before any distress call could be made. The vessel’s operator were first alerted when the vessel disappeared off radar. Korean authorities have launched an investigation into the incident.