[Cheongboho Abalone] Salvage Operation Four Days After Accident... Moving to Safety Zone

Plan to Tow and Salvage Nearby Daehosa with Relatively Calm Currents

After Search Completion, Move to Mokpo Port to Begin Accident Investigation

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Yoon Jamin] The salvage operation of the capsized vessel ‘Cheongboho’ in the waters off Imja-myeon, Sinan-gun, Jeollanam-do, is expected to proceed after four days.

According to rescue authorities on the 7th, the salvage operation for Cheongboho will take place near Daehyeosado, Sinan-gun, about 18 km south of the accident site. Daehyeosado is the northernmost part of Sinan and borders Yeonggwang.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Currently, Cheongboho is being towed near Daehyeosado on the sea.

The rescue authorities had planned to use a 200-ton crane to lift the vessel at the accident site, but due to strong currents deemed dangerous, they decided to tow it to a relatively calm area for salvage.

A drift prevention net has been installed around Cheongboho.

If the currents remain strong and salvage is not possible at this location, the rescue authorities plan to continue underwater search operations.

So far, among the 9 missing persons from Cheongboho, 5 were found in cardiac arrest inside the vessel, and efforts are being accelerated to find the remaining 4.

Once all 4 missing persons are found and the search is completed, Cheongboho will be moved to Mokpo Port for an investigation into the cause of the accident.

The investigation will focus on the fact that the hull’s lower part of the vessel, which was launched less than a year ago, was painted, the failure of the liferaft to deploy at the time of capsizing, possible overloading of traps, and further, any defects during the shipbuilding process.

Meanwhile, Cheongboho, carrying 12 people, capsized in the waters off Imja-myeon, Sinan-gun, Jeollanam-do, at 11:19 p.m. on the 4th. Three people were immediately rescued by a civilian fishing boat that received the distress call. As of 10 a.m. on the 7th, 5 of the 9 missing persons have been found, with 4 still missing.