Busan Coast Guard, Salvages 4 Flooded Vessels at Cheonghak Pier

Contamination Control Work in Progress

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Yoon Yoseop] The Busan Coast Guard announced on the 27th at 12 PM that flooding occurred on four vessels, including barge A (755t, Busan-registered, 1 crew member onboard, carrying 4t of diesel) moored at Cheonghak Pier in Yeongdo-gu, Busan, and rescue and pollution prevention operations are underway.

According to the Busan Coast Guard, barge A moored at Cheonghak Pier began flooding at around 8:49 AM that day.

After receiving the report, the Busan Coast Guard dispatched patrol vessels, Yeongdo Police Station, the Southern Sea Special Forces, and the Central Maritime Special Rescue Team to the scene. Using a mobile crane, they rescued Captain B of barge A, who was trapped on the flooding vessel after the mooring line came loose.

They also confirmed that three other vessels moored near barge A were flooding and carried out pollution prevention measures such as sealing air vents to prevent leakage of diesel and other substances loaded on the accident vessel.

The Busan Coast Guard is making every effort to secure tugboats to prevent secondary damage such as sinking and to ensure safety management at the site, targeting the captains and owners of the accident vessels.

A Busan Coast Guard official stated, “Due to strong winds and high waves, there is concern about safety accidents such as flooding of vessels moored at Cheonghak Pier,” and urged, “We ask the parties responsible for the vessels to thoroughly reinforce mooring lines and take safety measures.”

At 8:49 a.m. on the 27th, barge A moored at Cheonghak Pier in Yeongdo-gu, Busan. (Photo by Busan Coast Guard)