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Aground on Heukdo Island

Aground on Heukdo Island

FV Stranded off Gunsan
Photo: Gunsan Marine Police Station

On the morning of September 27, a 72-ton fishing vessel (name not disclosed) ran aground in the Yellow Sea on Heukdo Island, Okdo-myeon, Gunsan City, South Korea. The fishing vessel was proceeding during the night when the vessel confused lights on Heukdo Island for another vessel. The fishing vessel proceeded to try to avoid the lights and ran aground on the rocks. The vessel sustained hull damage with water ingress near the engine room. 

FV Stranded off Gunsan
Photo: Gunsan Coast Guard

The South Korean Coast Guard were alerted and dispatched a patrol vessel with a rescue team to the scene. The Coast Guard safely rescued all 8 crew off the fishing vessel. The Coast Guard locked the fuel valves before pulling the vessel free.  The vessels then proceeded to Daecheon.  There were no injuries.  The Coast Guard have launched an investigation into the incident.

 

Capsized off Busan

Capsized off Busan

79 ton Fishing Vessel
Photo: yna.co.kr

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.

 

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.