Mokpo Coast Guard, Identifies Vessel Involved After Searching for Oil Spill Ship

Two vessels, including an oil spill response ship, were deployed for emergency oil spill containment operations in the waters of Mokpo New Port. (Photo by Mokpo Coast Guard)

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Seo Young-seo] A vessel that leaked oil into the sea and set sail without any containment measures was caught after a Coast Guard pursuit.

The Mokpo Coast Guard Station (Chief Jung Young-jin) announced on the 1st that it apprehended tugboat A (87t, registered in Wando), which leaked oil during repairs in the waters of Mokpo District and moved without taking any action.

According to the Coast Guard, on the early morning of the 31st of last month, they received a report of black oil floating in the waters of Mokpo New Port and immediately deployed two vessels, including a containment ship, to conduct emergency containment operations on the oil floating in the sea.

Subsequently, to identify the polluter, a rapid investigation team was urgently formed, and about 10 vessels entering and leaving the waters around New Port and Mokpo District were inspected during the time the floating oil was discovered, leading to the capture of vessel A.

It was revealed that vessel A leaked 15 liters of waste oil that was on the engine cylinder head while replacing the head due to poor engine condition during navigation and then moved without containment.

Kim Dae-il, head of the Marine Pollution Containment Division at Mokpo Coast Guard, stated, “Vessels at sea must not discharge oil or other pollutants into the marine environment,” adding, “We will continue to thoroughly track and strictly crack down on vessels that leak oil to ensure a clean marine environment.”

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