[Asia Economy Sejong=Reporter Dongwoo Lee] On the evening of the 4th, most of the 9 missing crew members of the 25-ton fishing vessel Cheongboho, which capsized off the coast of Sinan, Jeollanam-do, are presumed to have been on the deck at the time of the accident and then separated from the hull, prompting rescue authorities to expand maritime search efforts.
On the 5th, Minister of Oceans and Fisheries Cho Seung-hwan met with the families of the missing gathered at the Sinan County Fisheries Cooperative and shared the current search status.
Minister Cho explained, "It is currently understood that everyone except the engine room staff was on the deck at the time of the accident," adding, "We believe most of the missing have separated from the hull." This differs from the initial rescue assumption that most of the missing were inside the cabin, as the crew were thought to have been sleeping there when the accident occurred.
Minister Cho added, "There may have been an order from the captain to move to the deck as water flooded the vessel, but that needs to be investigated."
Rescue authorities are considering the possibility that the missing crew members drifted away from the hull into the sea and have launched a search operation mobilizing rescue ships, patrol vessels, and private ships. In particular, they plan to conduct sector-based search operations using a system that analyzes the missing persons' locations by considering currents, tides, and wind speed.
Search efforts inside the capsized vessel continue. The Coast Guard attempted underwater entries five times from early dawn the previous day until 7:30 a.m. today but could not enter the cabin due to entangled fishing gear wrapped around the vessel. It is reported that about 3,000 traps are tangled, causing difficulties.
Minister Cho said, "We will cut the fishing nets and enter the vessel today, and will also expedite the salvage of the capsized ship." He explained, "We are tracking using a system that inputs currents, tides, and wind speed."
Attempts to drill holes in the hull bottom exposed above the water surface to enter the interior were also blocked by double bulkheads and internal equipment. Authorities plan to open a new entry route to check if any missing persons remain inside and aim to salvage Cheongboho within the day.
A detailed investigation into the cause of the accident is expected to take place after the salvage of Cheongboho. Minister Cho stated, "We plan to salvage the vessel today, and once salvaged, we will identify the cause and inform the families of the missing in detail."
Earlier, at around 11:19 p.m. the previous day, the 24-ton nearshore trap fishing vessel Cheongboho, registered in Incheon, capsized 9 nautical miles west of Daebichi Island, Imjado, Sinan. Of the 12 crew members on board, 3 were rescued and 9 are missing.
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