12 Rescued Amid Thick Smoke... Changwon Coast Guard: "Captain Hwang Won-il, the Best Partner"

Gyeongnam Changwon Maritime Police Station presented a letter of appreciation to Captain Hwang Won-il of the private marine rescue team, First Galmaegi, (third from the left) for assisting in the rescue efforts during the sightseeing boat accident off Jangseungpo, Geoje City on the 6th.

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Lee Seryeong] “There’s smoke, quickly transfer!” On the 6th, Captain Hwang Won-il of the No. 1 Galmaegi was shouting while fishing near Jangseungpo, Geoje-si, Gyeongnam.

At that time, black smoke of unknown origin was rising from a 98-ton sightseeing boat carrying 37 people.

Having served as a civilian marine rescuer for over 20 years, he abandoned his main job of fishing and rushed toward the sightseeing boat.

“How many people are on there? How many can we take on our boat?”

Captain Hwang, pondering concerns usually handled by professional rescue teams like the Coast Guard, brought his 7.93-ton fishing vessel close to the smoke-filled sightseeing boat.

“Seeing the smoke, there was no time to think about anything else. I just had the will to save them.”

He transferred a total of 12 people to his boat. With the help of the veteran 60-year-old civilian rescuer and Changwon Coast Guard, all 37 people were safely moved to land that day.

On the 20th, Changwon Coast Guard presented a letter of appreciation to Captain Hwang for his active efforts in the rescue.

Captain Hwang said, “I am glad that my activities so far have been about saving someone,” and added, “In the future, I want to fulfill the role of a civilian marine rescuer more professionally and effectively.”

Chief Ryu Yong-hwan said, “We are always reassured and thankful to have civilian rescuers who help save lives from disasters and accidents,” and urged, “As we enter the peak season for leisure activities such as fishing, please make sure to check your equipment more thoroughly to prevent marine accidents.”

Changwon Coast Guard plans to continuously strengthen the public-private rescue cooperation system with civilian marine rescuers and others, focusing on creating a ‘safe sea.’