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Tag: South Korea

Maly

Maly

Yeosu Tanker Fire
Photo: Yeosu Coast Guard

On the early morning of August 16, the 91.7 meter long, 3842 dwt tanker Maly (IMO: 9301691) and a 24 ton cargo vessel caught fire in the Sea of Japan while moored off Yeosu, South Korea. The Maly was loaded with 2,500 tons of a hazardous chemicals categorized as C5 along with 100 tons of fuel oil when a fire broke out.  The blaze quickly spread to the smaller moored cargo vessel.  The Coast Guard mobilized 15 vessels and one fireboat to fight the fire. Reports state the Coast Guard was able to extinguish the blaze on the cargo vessel within a few hours, but it would take 6 hours before the fire would be extinguished on the tanker.

Reports state that all 14 crew were rescued off the Maly, but 2 crew suffered minor injuries.  One of the 4 crew members on the cargo vessel perished during the incident.

The South Korean Coast Guard has not disclosed the name of the cargo vessel. Reports state the Coast Guard has launched an investigation into the incident and the extent of damage caused by the fire.

Hyang Ro Bong

Hyang Ro Bong

Hyang Ro Bong
Photo: nate.com

On the afternoon of July 31, the 113 meter long, 1700 dwt South Korean Navy amphibious landing craft Hyang Ro Bong (LST-683) caught fire in the Sea of Japan off Jinhae, South Korea. The Hyang Ro Bong was entering the port at Jinhae when a fire started in a machinery space.  One of the auxiliary engines had ignited the blaze which spread to several adjacent compartments. Due to the compartment layout, the main fire wasn’t contained until the early morning the next day. Fire fighters would eventually extinguish the blaze some 12 hours after it started.

Three crew members sustained injuries during the incident. One was taken to hospital for treatment for burns while the other 2 received treatment for smoke inhalation and returned back to their unit. The South Korean Navy has launched an investigation into the incident. The extent of damage caused by the fire was not disclosed.

Hyang Ro Bong
Photo: wikipedia.org
Crystal Asia

Crystal Asia

Crystal Asia
Photo: Korea Coast Guard

On March 26, the 135.5 meter long 8053 dwt refrigerated cargo vessel Crystal Asia (IMO: 9053957) caught fire in the Sea of Japan off Busan, South Korea. The Crystal Asia had travelled just 5 miles from the port of Busan when a fire broke out in the engine room. Alerted by the dense smoke billowing from the reefer, authorities dispatched multiple rescue boats. The rescue boats arrived on site and firefighters boarded the Crystal Asia where they extinguished the blaze.

The rescue boats were able to safely evacuate all 23 crew off the Crystal Asia.  Six crew sustained injuries with 2 suffering severe burns while 4 others with minor burns. Reports state the severely injured crew were taken to hospital for treatment. A tug was later dispatched and towed the Crystal Asia back to port. Authorities were able to do an inspection of the vessel. An initial report indicates that there may have been an explosion that started the fire and not a malfunction in the engine room.