Government Conducts Emergency Rescue of Drifting Fishing Vessel Near Japan's Exclusive Economic Zone

"National Fisheries Patrol Vessel Mugunghwa 1 Dispatched to Accident Site... Being Towed"

Photo by Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries

[Sejong=Asia Economy Reporter Moon Chaeseok] The government announced on the 11th that it safely rescued a fishing vessel and crew drifting near Japan's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).

The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries dispatched the national fisheries patrol vessel Mugunghwa 1 upon receiving a distress call from near the EEZ boundary between Korea and Japan, about 190 km east of Homigot, Pohang, Gyeongsangbuk-do, where the nearshore trap fishing vessel A (registered in Busan, 79 tons, 10 crew members) was operating. The vessel and crew have been safely rescued and are currently being towed.

Vessel A reportedly requested rescue after an unidentified object became entangled in its propeller around 8 a.m. while fishing approximately 190 km east of Homigot, rendering the vessel unable to operate normally. It was drifting toward the Japanese EEZ, unable to navigate on its own.

The East Sea Fisheries Management Unit dispatched Mugunghwa 1, which was on duty in the Korea-Japan intermediate waters, and around 9:20 a.m. confirmed the safety of the crew and vessel before rescuing vessel A. The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries plans to tow the vessel safely to waters near Pohang by around 9 p.m. and hand it over to the owner.

Lee Se-o, head of the East Sea Fisheries Management Unit, said, "Accidents such as propeller entanglement caused by abandoned fishing gear or floating debris often occur on fishing vessels during operations," and urged, "Duty personnel should thoroughly watch ahead and strengthen safety inspections before departure to prevent various accidents."