Fishing Boat Collides with Rock at Jeju Sehwa Port and Is Rescued... No Casualties Reported

[Jeju=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Hwang Jeongpil] On the morning of the 6th, a fishing vessel entering Sehwa Port collided with rocks about 100 meters east of Sehwa Port, causing seawater to enter the engine room, resulting in engine failure and flooding. The Jeju Coast Guard safely rescued the flooding vessel.

According to the Jeju Maritime Police Station on the 6th, at around 6:48 a.m., vessel A (9.77t/coastal composite/Jeju/6 crew members/1000L diesel loaded), entering Sehwa Port, collided with rocks, causing a hull breach below the waterline. Seawater entered the engine room, flooding it. Although pumping operations were underway, water continued to rise, prompting a distress report.

In response, the Jeju Coast Guard urgently dispatched patrol vessels, rescue teams, and the Jeju Police Station coastal rescue boat patrolling nearby waters, arriving at the scene at 7:02 a.m.

They confirmed that the engine room was flooded about 1 meter and still flooding. To prevent secondary accidents, the flooded vessel was towed approximately 100 meters outside Sehwa Port, and air vents and fuel valves were sealed.

Using the patrol vessel’s bilge pumps and submersible pumps, they conducted dewatering operations in the engine room. As the flood level decreased to about 15 cm, the vessel was safely towed into Sehwa Port and was fully docked at Sehwa Shipyard around 10:20 a.m.

A Jeju Coast Guard official stated, “When entering or leaving port, it is essential to carefully observe the surroundings. Even familiar areas can vary depending on weather and tides, so special caution is needed regarding reefs and obstacles.”

Jeju=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Hwang Jeongpil panax33@asiae.co.kr