Queen Zenobia 2 Captain and Crew Receive Suspended Sentences for Running Aground on Uninhabited Island

First Officer and Helmsman Also Receive Prison Sentences
Missed Course Change While Using Mobile Phone

Queen Zenubia 2 departing from Sinan Shoal. Photo by Mokpo Coast Guard Station

The operators responsible for the large passenger ferry 'Queen Zenobia 2,' which ran aground on an uninhabited island due to negligence such as failure to keep a proper lookout while sailing in the waters off Sinan, South Jeolla Province, have received suspended sentences in their first trial.

On March 18, the Mokpo Branch of the Gwangju District Court, Criminal Division 3 (Presiding Judge Choi Hyungjun), sentenced Captain A (age 65), who was indicted and detained on charges including gross negligence causing bodily injury in the course of work, to two years and six months in prison, suspended for three years.

First Officer B (age 39), who was indicted on the same charge, was sentenced to two years and six months in prison, suspended for three years, and Indonesian national helmsman C (age 39) was sentenced to one year and six months in prison, suspended for two years.

Captain A and others were brought to trial on charges of causing a grounding accident by failing to fulfill their duty of care while operating the 26,546-ton passenger ferry Queen Zenobia 2 near Jukdo, Jangsan-myeon, Sinan County, at around 8:17 p.m. on November 19 of last year.

The investigation found that Captain A was resting in the captain’s cabin instead of being in the wheelhouse, despite the ship navigating a hazardous area that required direct supervision. First Officer B, who was responsible for navigation, missed the correct timing for changing course because he was searching for news on his mobile phone. Helmsman C also failed to properly keep watch ahead while the ship was on autopilot, resulting in a failure to recognize the danger of collision with the uninhabited island in time.

As a result of this accident, 267 people, including passengers and crew, experienced fear and distress, and more than 80 of them had to receive emergency treatment or hospital care.

The court commented, "Maritime accidents can easily lead to large-scale casualties, and the risk of accidents is heightened when passing through narrow waterways. Despite this, the responsible parties, including the captain, failed to fulfill their duties, which makes the offense especially serious."

However, the sentencing decision also stated, "In determining the sentences, the court took into consideration that the defendants have shown remorse, took immediate action after the accident to ensure the safe evacuation of passengers, thereby preventing greater harm, and reached settlements with many of the victims."

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