Capsized off Busan
On the afternoon of September 19, a 79 ton fishing vessel (name not disclosed) capsized and sank in the Sea of Japan some 61.6 kilometers east of Busan, South Korea. The fishing vessel had been attempting to haul in fishing nets when it lost stability and capsized. The fishing vessel’s EPIRB alerted South Korean authorities who launched a search and rescue operation. A nearby fishing vessel was able to rescue 7 crew members with one crew member listed as missing. The captain of the fishing vessel was found, but had suffered cardiac arrest. A Coast Guard helicopter airlifted him and took him ashore for medical treatment. Authorities stated he did not recover and later died while in hospital.
The South Korean Coast Guard searched the area near where the fishing vessel sank for the missing crew member using patrol ships and aircraft, but were not successful in finding the sailor. Reports stated the missing crew member was not wearing a life jacket. Authorities have talked to the crew who state the capsizing was caused by the vessel turning while the net was being pulled in. The incident is under investigation.
