'Fishing Boat Sinking, Capsizing, and Fire' Marine Accidents Continue... Coast Guard Issues Special Alert

The Korea Coast Guard announced on the 13th that it will issue a special maritime safety alert and strengthen safety management activities following a series of major maritime accidents such as ship sinkings and fires.

According to the Coast Guard, at around 8:39 a.m. that day, a fire broke out on the nearshore trap fishing vessel Sinbangjuho in the waters off Wangdeungdo, Buan-gun, Jeonbuk Province. Of the 11 crew members on board, 7 are missing, and search operations are underway.

Earlier, at 7:56 p.m. the previous day, the hairtail fishing vessel 2066 Jaeseongho capsized off Seogwipo, Jeju. Of the 10 crew members, 1 died and 4 are missing. Additionally, at 1:41 a.m. on the 9th, the trawl fishing vessel Seogyeongho sank off Geomundo, Yeosu, Jeonnam Province, resulting in 5 deaths and 5 missing among the 14 crew members.

Fishing boat fire near Wangdeungdo, Buan. Photo by Buan Coast Guard

With maritime accident casualties reaching 22 deaths and missing persons in just 5 days, the Coast Guard has designated the period from that day until the 15th of next month as a special maritime safety alert period and decided to carry out intensive safety management activities focused on maritime accidents.

First, to ensure immediate preparedness and response to maritime accidents, the Coast Guard plans to forward-deploy patrol vessels and equipment from coast guard stations nationwide to high-risk maritime areas. Additionally, patrol vessels, police substations, rescue teams, and control rooms will focus on safety management and rescue readiness centered on heavily trafficked passenger ship routes and fishing vessel distribution areas, maintaining a 24-hour emergency dispatch posture.

Kim Yong-jin, Commissioner of the Korea Coast Guard, stated, "During maritime weather warnings, fishing operations should be suspended and vessels should move to safe waters. Crew members must wear life jackets to prepare for emergencies." He added, "We will maintain focused safety management and immediate rescue readiness to prevent maritime accidents."

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