Yacht and Cargo Ship "Collision" off Geomundo, Yeosu Sea

Yacht Sail Severely Damaged, Detailed Investigation of Accident Cause Planned After Arrival in Yeosu

A yacht with a damaged sail. Photo by Yeosu Coast Guard

[Yeosu=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Lee Hyung-kwon] In the early morning of the 17th, a yacht and a cargo ship collided in the southern waters of Geomundo, Samsan-myeon, Yeosu-si, Jeollanam-do.

According to the Yeosu Coast Guard, at around 03:10 on the 17th, the Romanian-registered cargo ship A (39,643t, 18 crew members, bulk carrier) and yacht B (15t, sailing yacht, 1 crew member) collided, causing significant damage to the sail of yacht B.

The collision was reported by the captain aboard yacht B. The Yeosu Coast Guard dispatched patrol vessels and coastal rescue boats to the scene to manage the safety of yacht B, which was unable to navigate, and requested a navigation safety broadcast from the Yeosu Fishing Vessel Safety Operation Office.

The Coast Guard conducted a breathalyzer test on the captain of the accident ship, but no alcohol was detected. The accident is believed to have occurred due to a collision between the starboard side of ship A and the port side of ship B, and a detailed investigation is underway.

A Yeosu Coast Guard official stated, "Yachts primarily navigate using sails and wind, which imposes operational limitations compared to general powered vessels, so special caution and adherence to navigation rules are required to prevent accidents."

Meanwhile, with the assistance of the Yeosu Coast Guard, yacht B is scheduled to enter Yeosu on the 17th. Yacht B departed from Croatia in February, heading to Tongyeong Marina via Guam, and collided with cargo ship A, which was departing China en route to the United States.