Mokpo Coast Guard Finds Missing Captain Dead at Sea near Heuksando

Published 10 Nov.2020 17:08(KST)

Updated 19 Aug.2025 20:14(KST)

Mokpo Coast Guard, Transporting Deceased Captain to Ship 513 After Recovery

A 35-ton fishing vessel registered in Yeonggwang, carrying 10 people, capsized 31 km northwest off Heuksando, Sinan-gun, Jeollanam-do. (Photo by Mokpo Maritime Police Station)

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Seo Young-seo] The Mokpo Coast Guard announced on the 10th that the captain Kim Mo (59), who went missing after a 35-ton fishing vessel registered in Yeonggwang with 10 people on board capsized about 31 km northwest of Heuksando, Sinan-gun, Jeollanam-do, was found dead on the deck two days after intensive search.

Rescue team members conducting intensive underwater searches by the Coast Guard wore diving equipment and conducted underwater searches in pairs from the day of the accident until noon on the 10th in the waters near the accident site. At 3:07 p.m., they found the captain dead on the deck and immediately raised him.

The Coast Guard continued overnight searches but faced great difficulties due to scattered fishery products around the capsized vessel amid continuous strong winds and high waves.

The missing captain Kim Mo (59) was on board the vessel A (35t, Yeonggwang-registered, 10 crew members) and went missing after the vessel capsized while tilting to the starboard side during the process of hauling the fishing net around 6:26 p.m. on the 9th about 31 km off Heuksando.

The Mokpo Coast Guard deployed eight patrol vessels, one coastal rescue boat, two aircraft from the West Sea Regional Headquarters, the West Sea Special Rescue Team, one naval vessel, one West Sea Fisheries Management Unit vessel, and three civilian vessels to conduct intensive searches around the accident area to find the missing captain.

A Mokpo Coast Guard official said, “We are investigating the exact cause of the accident based on statements from the chief engineer and crew members.”

Meanwhile, three tugboats and one barge are en route to the accident site for the salvage operation of the vessel A and are expected to arrive around 6 p.m. on the 10th to begin salvage preparations.