60s Coast Guard Officer Caught Operating Fishing Boat Drunk... Exposed by Engine Failure Report

Photo by Seogwipo Coast Guard Station website

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Min Jun-young] A captain in his 60s was caught by the coast guard for operating a fishing vessel under the influence of alcohol off the coast of Seogwipo, Jeju.

The Seogwipo Coast Guard announced on the 25th that they apprehended Captain B (63) of fishing vessel A (3.8t, 2 crew members) on charges of operating a fishing vessel while intoxicated (violation of the Maritime Safety Act).

According to the coast guard, at around 8:07 PM on the 24th, a report was received that the engine of fishing vessel A, which was fishing about 1 km off Taeheung-ri, Namwon-eup, Seogwipo City, had broken down.

After receiving the report, the coast guard dispatched the Seogwipo Police Station coastal rescue boat and a civilian fishing vessel, towing vessel A to Wimi Port.

During the towing process, a coast guard officer aboard fishing vessel A suspected Captain B of smelling alcohol and conducted a breathalyzer test on him.

The test result confirmed that Captain B's blood alcohol concentration was 0.118% at the time.

Operating a vessel under 5 tons with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.03% or higher is punishable by a fine of up to 5 million won under the Maritime Safety Act.

The coast guard is currently investigating the exact circumstances of the incident involving Captain B.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.