South Korea - Shipwreck Log

On the morning of December 2, a 15 ton fishing vessel (name not disclosed) collided with a 5 ton fishing vessel (name not disclosed) in the Sea of Japan some 0.5 nautical miles southeast of Patseom Island, Namhae-gun, South Korea. Reports state the the 15 ton vessel had departed from Mizonam en route to Shinsu when it failed to spot the smaller fishing vessel. The South Korean Coast Guard was alerted and dispatched a patrol vessel to the scene. The Coast Guard would take 2 of the 7 persons off the 5 ton vessel as they had sustained chest and shoulder pain. Both were transported to the port of Mijo where they were taken by ambulance to hospital. The were no reports of injuries among the 5 crew on the 15 ton fishing vessel.

Both vessels were able to proceed under their own power back to port. Authorities had both masters of the fishing vessel tested for alcohol which returned negative results. The incident is under investigation. The extent of damage caused by the collision was not disclosed.

Capsized off Buan-gun

November 24, 2025 Paul Hancock

Sank off Buan-gun — Photo: lghellovision.net

On the afternoon of November 24, a fishing vessel (name not disclosed) capsized in the Yellow Sea near Wangdeungdo Island, Buan-gun, South Korea. Reports state the fishing vessel sustained damage during a fishing operation causing uncontrolled water ingress. The vessel sent out a distress call with the South Korean Coast Guard responding. A patrol vessel was dispatched and found the overturn fishing vessel submerged in the water. The patrol vessel would rescue all 10 crew from the fishing vessel. No reports of injuries.

Queen Jenuvia II

November 19, 2025 Paul Hancock

On the evening of November 19, the 170 meter long, 6499 dwt ro-ro passenger ferry Queen Jenuvia II (IMO: 9901386) ran aground in the Yellow Sea near the uninhabited island of Jokdo and Jangsan Island in the southwestern edge of South Korea. The Queen Jenuvia II had departed from Jeju with 267 passengers and crew bound for Mokpo. As the vessel approached the area off Jangsan Island, the vessel struck a rocky outcrop. The grounding caused the vessel’s main engines to power down and caused a 15 degree list to port, but there was no reports of flooding.

Authorities were alerted and dispatched all possible resources to rescue passengers off the Queen Jenuvia II. The Coast Guard dispatched 17 patrol boats, 4 coastal rescue vessels, and 1 aircraft which arrived an hour later. After 3 hours, all 246 passengers would be safely rescued off the ferry. The 21 crew members would remain onboard to assist with towing operations. Twenty-seven passengers had suffered minor injuries and would be taken to hospital for treatment.

The ferry would later be pulled free and towed to a nearby port. An inspection found the ferry had sustained significant hull damage with part of the bow crushed. The full extent of damage has not yet been released.

According to initial investigation by authorities, the South Korean Coast Guard identified the cause of the grounding. The ferry was left on autopilot in an area requiring manual operation. The officer handling navigation was reported to be distracted by their mobile phone at the time of the incident. The Coast Guard stated the navigation would be typically handled by the first officer who was not on the bridge nor the master at the time of the incident. There are plans to purse criminal charges against those found responsible for operational negligence.