Mokpo Coast Guard Conducts Hazardous Chemical Accident Response Drill

Assuming Chemical Spill at Sea... Enhancing Crisis Management Capabilities

The Mokpo Maritime Police Station (Chief Kim Hae-cheol) announced on the 29th that it conducted a joint civil-government-military hazardous chemical substance (HNS) accident response drill on the afternoon of the 28th at 2 PM at Daebul Pier in Yeongam, Jeollanam-do, to strengthen complex disaster response capabilities on land and at sea.

Mokpo Coast Guard is conducting a hazardous chemical accident response drill at sea.
[Photo by Mokpo Coast Guard]

This drill involved a total of about 120 participants from 10 organizations and companies, including the Mokpo Regional Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Office, the Navy 3rd Fleet, and the Yeongsangang River Basin Environmental Office.

The drill scenario assumed an unexplained explosion and fire occurring while a 3,500-ton chemical carrier was docked, resulting in chemical substances leaking into the sea.

The drill proceeded according to the chemical accident response manual in the following order: △accident situation dissemination △life rescue △fire suppression △hazardous substance detection △establishment of a warning zone △hazardous substance decontamination △marine pollution prevention and response.

In particular, the leaked substance in the simulated scenario, IPA (Isopropyl alcohol), was shipped about 8,400㎘ from Mokpo Port last year and is used as a dehydrating agent, disinfectant, and cleaning agent. It has a high fire risk and can cause toxicity upon exposure, requiring special caution.

A Mokpo Maritime Police official stated, “Through joint drills, we will further strengthen our chemical accident crisis management capabilities and joint response system.”

Meanwhile, two external evaluation members with expertise and experience in disaster and prevention safety fields directly participated in the drill to pass on their prevention technology know-how.

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