Mokpo Coast Guard, Emergency Safety Management of Shinan-gun Offshore Ferry Amid Bad Weather Conditions

Disruption to Navigation Due to Strong Winds and Tides, Crew Rescued and Handed Over to 119

Mokpo Coast Guard is rescuing crew members from a vessel hindered by bad weather conditions. Photo by Mokpo Coast Guard

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Chunsu] Amid a storm warning issued for the distant waters of the West Sea, a barge passing through the waters of Sinan-gun drifted at sea due to deteriorating weather conditions, prompting the Coast Guard to launch an emergency safety management operation.

At 2:06 a.m. on the 4th, Mokpo Coast Guard confirmed via the Jindo Vessel Traffic Service Center (VTS) that barge A (56t, 2 crew members) and barge B (607t, 1 crew member), passing through the waters near Maemuldo, Sinan-gun, were being continuously pushed southward by strong winds and currents, and promptly dispatched patrol vessels.

Subsequently, to prevent secondary accidents such as collisions or sinking, the Coast Guard broadcast safety warnings to vessels navigating nearby waters and instructed the crew to wear life jackets in preparation for any emergencies.

Upon arrival at the scene, the Coast Guard immediately boarded barge B, rescued crew member C who was suffering from hypothermia, checked the safety status of barge B, and took anchoring measures.

Meanwhile, barge A safely arrived at Jindo Port at 5:58 p.m. that day under the Coast Guard’s safety management, and barge B is scheduled to be towed later once local weather conditions improve.

A Mokpo Coast Guard official stated, “At the time of arrival, strong winds of 14 to 18 meters per second, 3-meter high waves, and currents made it difficult even to approach the barges,” adding, “We will do our best to protect the precious lives and property of the public despite the worsening weather conditions.”

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