Yeosu Coast Guard: Fishing Boat Capsizes After Collision Between Fishing Vessels Near Yeondo, No Casualties Reported

Collision between 4-ton and 30-ton fishing vessels causes 4-ton vessel to capsize, crew unharmed

[Yeosu=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Choi Cheol-hoon] The Jeonnam Yeosu Coast Guard announced on the 13th that "a fishing boat capsized after a collision between fishing boats off Yeon-do, Yeosu, causing seven crew members to fall into the sea, but fortunately, all were rescued by the colliding vessel."

According to the Yeosu Coast Guard, at around 5:58 a.m. that day, a 4-ton fishing boat A (shrimp trap, 7 crew members) and a 30-ton fishing boat B (nearshore eel trap, 8 crew members) collided about 17 km southeast off Yeon-do, Yeosu City. The captain of boat B reported the incident through the Yeosu Coastal Vessel Traffic Service Center (Coastal VTS), stating that boat A had capsized.

Upon receiving the report, the Yeosu Coast Guard dispatched patrol vessels and rescue teams to the scene. Upon arrival, they confirmed that boat A was capsized, showing its hull bottom, and all seven crew members were rescued by the colliding boat B, with no casualties reported.

It was confirmed that three crew members of the capsized boat sustained minor abrasions and received first aid at the scene. A thin oil slick (200m wide × 150m long) was also observed around the capsized vessel.

According to the captain's statement, boat A was performing sea anchor (water anchor) retrieval when boat B struck the central part of the hull, causing the capsize.

The Coast Guard plans to secure safety by installing lift bags (buoyancy devices) to prevent the capsized vessel from sinking, enter the hull to seal fuel systems, and carry out pollution control measures as necessary to prevent further marine pollution.

A Yeosu Coast Guard official stated, "We will investigate the exact circumstances of the accident by questioning the captains and crew members," adding, "All captains tested negative for alcohol consumption."

Yeosu=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Choi Cheol-hoon hss79@asiae.co.kr

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