'9 People Still Missing After Cheongboho Capsizing'

12-Person Conch Fishing Boat Capsizes Off Imja-myeon, Sinan, Jeonnam

3 Rescued, 9 Missing; Search Efforts Hampered by Strong Currents

Boat Usually Leaks Water, Listing at Departure on Accident Day... A Foreseeable Man-Made Disaster?

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Yoon Jamin] At 11:19 PM on the 4th, the fishing vessel 'Cheongboho' carrying 12 people capsized off the coast of Imja-myeon, Sinan-gun, Jeollanam-do, and 9 people are missing.

Three people were rescued about an hour after the accident occurred, but the whereabouts and condition of the remaining 9 are still unknown.

Currently, military ships, deep-sea divers (SSU) from the maritime rescue team, and aerial forces have been urgently deployed to continue rescue operations, but it is reported that the operations are not proceeding smoothly due to maritime conditions.

◆ 'Cheongboho' on a conch fishing trip capsizes minutes after reporting flooding

Cheongboho is a 24-ton coastal trap fishing vessel registered in Incheon, measuring 21.75m in length, 5.18m in width, and 1.44m in depth, carrying 12 people. It is a relatively new vessel, built in March last year and registered as a fishing vessel in April.

At the time of the accident, Cheongboho was reportedly navigating to catch conch in the waters 16.6 km west of Daebichi-do, an uninhabited island in Imja-myeon, Sinan-gun.

The flooding report from a Cheongboho crew member stating "water is filling the boat" was made around 11:19 PM on the 4th. When a nearby civilian vessel responding to the rescue request approached Cheongboho, it was already reported that "the boat had capsized."

Additionally, the initial flooding reporter said during the call that "the boat capsized suddenly, and the liferaft did not deploy."

Putting this together, it appears the boat capsized within minutes after the initial report.

◆ Most missing likely separated from the hull

Kim Haecheol, chief of Mokpo Coast Guard, held an emergency briefing on the afternoon of the 5th, stating, "At the time of the accident, there were 12 crew members: 3 at the bow, 3 in the engine room, and 6 at the stern."

Of the 12 crew members, 3 (2 Koreans and 1 Indonesian) were rescued by nearby civilian vessels responding to the Coast Guard's rescue request. According to Chief Kim, among the 9 missing, 3 are believed to be inside the vessel, and 6 are presumed to have fallen into the sea.

There are statements that the engine room was flooded, and the chief engineer and a Vietnamese crew member were bailing water out, with the captain also present in the engine room. Cheongboho appears to have capsized suddenly within minutes after the report.

The rescue team is currently conducting a search inside the vessel, but strong currents, mudflats obstructing visibility, and entangled trap gear and fishing nets are making entry difficult.

◆ Water leakage even before, and the boat was 'tilted' on the day of departure... a predictable disaster?

Cheongboho had experienced engine room flooding several times before the accident, and there are testimonies that the boat was tilted at the time of departure.

Accordingly, there is a strong analysis that this was a predictable man-made disaster.

According to rescue authorities, the rescued crew stated, "Water often leaked into the engine room, and the right engine was not in good condition." They also said, "Water leaked on the day of departure as well, but the amount was small, so we left as is," and "The boat was tilted at departure."

This suggests that Cheongboho had inherent problems with the vessel itself.

About three hours after departure, a crew member discovered and reported the water leakage, but the engine room was already flooding, so no further action could be taken, according to the rescued crew.

Some crew members also reported that fishing nets blocked the exits, preventing escape.

◆ Delayed rescue operations reduce the 'golden time'

The current seawater temperature is 8 to 10 degrees Celsius, meaning the golden time is limited. The Coast Guard estimates the golden time to be 24 to 36 hours, which can vary depending on whether protective gear is worn.

Rescue authorities have deployed about 50 divers in 14 operations so far, conducting underwater searches and vessel entry. The Navy's maritime rescue team (SSU) has also been deployed, but visibility is poor due to mudflats and strong currents, hindering smooth operations. Underwater visibility is reported to be less than 1 meter.

Additionally, the vessel's structure is compartmentalized with bulkheads, making it difficult to breach, and engine equipment obstructs access, so cutting operations and searches are challenging. Only the wheelhouse has been searched so far.

Officials say it is still unknown whether there is an 'air pocket,' a space that could aid survival.

◆ Crane ship for vessel salvage departs for accident site

Salvage preparations are underway alongside the search for missing persons. A crane ship located in Amtaedo, Sinan, has departed for the accident site. It is expected to arrive after 7 PM and immediately begin salvage preparations.

Initially, rescue authorities announced that salvage would begin after completing the search for missing persons inside the vessel, but due to the complex entanglement of traps and other gear and poor visibility caused by mudflats, it is judged that searching inside the vessel is practically difficult, leading to a revision of the plan.

However, officials explained that although they intend to start salvage today if possible, there are many variables such as preparatory work and search conditions for salvage.