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Tag: South Korean Coast Guard

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.

2066 Jae Sung Ho

2066 Jae Sung Ho

2066 Jae Sung Ho
Photo: Jeju Coast Guard

On the evening of February 12, the 14 meter long, 32 ton fishing vessel 2066 Jae Sung Ho (MMSI: 440012160) capsized in East China Sea about 8 kilometers off the coast of Seogwipo, Jeju Island.  Authorities received an emergency alert signal via very high frequency (VHF-DSC) radio with the Korean Coast Guard dispatching a patrol vessel.  The patrol vessel arrived on site and found 3 crew in a life raft, 1 crew member on the overturn hull of the 2066 Jae Sung Ho and 1 crew person in the water. The 5 were rescued by the patrol boat and all were reported to be in good health.

Authorities are conducting a search for the remaining missing crew members.  Reports state 17 vessels aided by multiple civilian fishing vessels and a helicopter are searching the surrounding area. News reports state there was a strong wind advisory at the time of the incident. Winds were reported to have gusts up to 45 miles per hour and waves reaching 3 meters.

22 Seokyung

22 Seokyung

22 Seokyung

On the early morning of February 9, the 43 meter long, 139 ton fishing vessel 22 Seokyung (MMSI: 440106630) capsized and sank in the East China Sea 17 kilometers east of Habaekdo Island off the coast from Yeosu, South Korea.  Reports state the vessel with 14 crew had suddenly capsized due to bad weather.  Search and rescue by the Korea Coast Guard aided by nearby fishing vessels were able to pull  7 crew from the water. Three crew, including the captain of the 22 Seokyung, were found floating unconscious.  Attempts to revive the crew members were unsuccessful.  The other four crew were found in a life raft.  They were rescued and later taken to Chukjeong on Narodo Island for treatment from hypothermia and non life-threatening injuries.

Authorities conducted a five-kilometer search around the are where the fishing vessel sank for the remaining missing crew.  The Coast Guard deployed 19 vessels aided by four aircraft while divers were used to see if the the crew were trapped within the vessel.  Testimony provided by the 4 surviving crew stated the 6 missing members were most likely below deck when the 22 Seokyung capsized.

Reports also state the fishing vessel had capsized before any distress call could be made. The vessel’s operator were first alerted when the vessel disappeared off radar. Korean authorities have launched an investigation into the incident.