Hazardous Materials Spill from Ship Explosion... Changwon Coast Guard Conducts Realistic Drill with Civil, Government, and Military Agencies

At around 2:00 p.m. on April 14, flames and smoke erupted with an explosion from a ship anchored near the Korea Oil Pipeline Corporation dock on the coast of Masanhappo-gu, Changwon-si, Gyeongnam.

The explosion caused the crew members on board to fall into the water, and the hazardous liquid cargo spilled into the sea.

Joint civilian-government-military hazardous chemical accident response training by Changwon Coast Guard is underway at the Korea Oil Pipeline Corporation pier in Masanhappo-gu, Changwon-si, Gyeongnam. Photo by Se-ryeong Lee

Helicopters and rescue boats rushed to the scene and pulled those who had fallen into the water to safety, while pollution control vessels and unmanned surface robots quickly deployed triple containment booms to prevent the hazardous substances from spreading further.

Fire trucks and pollution control vessels that had arrived at the dock sprayed powerful streams of water to extinguish the fire on the ship, while personnel in protective suits boarded the vessel to seal the ruptured pipe and stop the gas leak.

Changwon Coast Guard Chief Ok Changmook is inspecting the work of sealing a damaged pipe during the 'Civil-Military-Government Joint Hazardous Chemical Accident Response Drill.' Photo by Se-ryeong Lee

This was the scenario for the 'Civil-Government-Military Joint Hazardous Chemical Incident Response Training' conducted by the Changwon Coast Guard on the eve of National Safety Day, in cooperation with the Jinhae Naval Base Command, Masan Fire Station, Nakdong River Basin Environmental Office, Korea Marine Environment Management Corporation, Changwon City, and other organizations.

The drill simulated a fire, explosion, and hazardous material spill on a liquefied natural gas (LNG)-powered ship supplying fuel to another vessel at the dock.

The Coast Guard rescue team is rescuing a person in need during the Changwon Coast Guard's "Civil-Government-Military Joint Hazardous Chemical Incident Response Drill" near the Korea Pipeline Corporation pier in Masanhappo-gu, Changwon-si, Gyeongnam. Photo by Se-Ryung Lee

This exercise was organized to address the changes in the maritime environment, including the increase in eco-friendly fuel vessels and the expansion of ship-to-ship cargo operations. A total of 160 personnel from 12 organizations and companies participated.

Not only helicopters, pollution control vessels, patrol ships, and fire trucks, but also special equipment such as the 'Endamho,' a 5,000-ton multi-purpose large pollution control ship operated by the Korea Marine Environment Management Corporation, and unmanned surface robots were mobilized.

The Changwon Coast Guard stated that from the initial stage of the simulated accident, the training encompassed rescue operations, firefighting, and on-site decontamination in a realistic fashion, enhancing joint response capabilities in close cooperation with related agencies.

Ok Changmook, Chief of Changwon Coast Guard in Gyeongnam, is inspecting the joint civilian-government-military hazardous chemical accident response drill. Photo by Lee Seryung

Chief Ok Changmook said, "In commemoration of National Safety Day, we carried out this training to create a cleaner and safer sea," adding, "Even a small leak of hazardous chemicals can cause significant harm to the lives and property of the public and to the marine environment."

He continued, "I hope that the content of this drill will be applied in real situations for more effective containment operations and faster rescues. Going forward, we will further strengthen our cooperation with related agencies to enhance our response capabilities and reinforce our joint response system."

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