Fishing Vessel with 4 Onboard Sinks in Geoje Sea... Changwon Coast Guard Emergency Rescue

A tugboat with a hole is sinking in the sea in front of Hannae Port, Yeoncho-myeon, Geoje-si, Gyeongnam. [Photo by Changwon Maritime Police Station]

At around 11:23 a.m. on the 5th, a 90-ton tugboat carrying four people sank off the coast of Hannae Port in Yeoncho-myeon, Geoje-si, Gyeongnam.

The Changwon Coast Guard reported that upon receiving a report that the tugboat, which was towing another vessel, was sinking in the sea, they immediately dispatched rescue teams, patrol ships, and coastal rescue boats from the local police station to the scene.

According to the Changwon Coast Guard, the tugboat had departed from a certain heavy industry company around 11 a.m. that day after loading cargo, but it came into contact with the anchor link of a floating dock that submerges and resurfaces for launching or repairing ships, causing a hole.

The breach was located on the starboard side of the stern, allowing a large amount of seawater to enter the engine room, and the vessel sank at around 12:02 p.m.

Upon arrival at the scene, the Coast Guard immediately checked the condition of the vessel and the safety of the crew members and transferred them to another ship.

As a result of the accident, an oil fence was installed to prevent leakage of 4,000 liters of diesel fuel and other oil carried on the vessel, and the Coast Guard rescue team sealed off four fuel air intake and exhaust ports.

A Changwon Coast Guard official stated, “We have notified the tugboat company located in Incheon to carry out salvage operations and are investigating the exact cause of the accident.”