Browsed by
Tag: South Korea

Capsized off Seonmido Island

Capsized off Seonmido Island

Photo: segye.com

On the afternoon of December 19, a 7.9 fishing vessel (name not disclosed) capsized in the Yellow Sea 13 kilometers north of Seonmido Island, Deokjeok-myeon, South Korea. Reports state the vessel had 5 crew members on board when it rolled over.  Four of the 5 crew were rescued by a nearby vessel with one sustaining a head injury. The South Korean Coast Guard dispatched a helicopter which airlifted the injured crew member back to shore for medical treatment.

The Coast Guard launched a search and rescue operation for the missing crew member. Deploying several patrol boats, a hovercraft and aircraft to search the areas around were the fishing vessel had capsized. The cause of the capsizing was not disclosed.

Struck Rocks Off Dadaepo

Struck Rocks Off Dadaepo

Grounding off Dadaepo
Photo: khan.co.kr

On the morning of December 16, a 9.7 ton fishing vessel (name not disclosed) ran aground in the Sea of Japan off Dadaepo, Saha-gu, Busan, South Korea. The fishing vessel was attempting to drop off fishermen on Seodo Island when the vessel rammed into a rock.  The bow of the fishing vessel sustained severe damage allowing water ingress, but the vessel’s pumps were able to control the flooding. The vessel proceeded under its own power to the port of Seongchang. Six of the 8 people onboard the fishing vessel suffered injuries. Reports state some were later taken to hospital for treatment.

Authorities have launched an investigation into the incident. The Coast Guard gave the master of the fishing vessel an alcohol tests which were negative. Initial reports state the vessel’s search light had failed as it approached the rocks.

Capsized off Cheonlipo

Capsized off Cheonlipo

Capsized off Cheonlipo
Photo; chosun.com

On the evening of December 4, a 9.77 ton fishing vessel (name not disclosed) capsized in the Yellow Sea some 2.5 kilometers northwest of Cheonlipo, Taean, South Korea. The gillnet fishing vessel with 7 crew onboard was involved in catching oysters, flounder and clams when the vessel capsized. The Coast Guard was alerted to the incident and dispatched  six patrol ships, one coastal rescue boat, and a Coast Guard rescue team to the search the area. Three of the crew would be later rescued during the search and rescue. The survivors suffered from hypothermia and were taken ashore and later taken to hospital.

Later that night, the Coast Guard would find the body of another crew member along the shoreline near Cheonlipo. The crew member had suffered cardiac arrest and could not be resuscitated.  The search for the 3 remaining crew members was hampered from strong winds and waves reaching 3 meters high.  The Coast Guard continued the search for several days.  By December 6, the bodies of all 3 missing crew members would be recovered. The Coast Guard has launched an investigation into the incident.