Changwon Coast Guard Rescues Multiple Accident Vessels During Lunar New Year Holiday

V-PASS SOS Button and Other Quick Reporting Methods Awareness and Pre-Departure Inspection Reminder

Changwon Coast Guard announced on the 12th that they safely rescued all crew members of motorboat G (1-ton class, 2 crew members) that was drifting due to engine failure about 0.7 nautical miles north of Gajodo, Geoje City, on the 11th.

Changwon Coast Guard is checking the safety status of the crew on motorboat G.

According to the Coast Guard, motorboat G experienced engine failure around 14:00 while heading to port and reported the incident to Changwon Coast Guard via 119 at approximately 14:07.

Upon receiving the report, the Coast Guard dispatched coastal rescue boats from Gwangam and Gohyeon police stations to the accident site to conduct the rescue operation.

After arriving at the scene, Changwon Coast Guard promptly checked the health status of the two crew members and towed the boat to Singyo Port on Gajodo, Geoje.

Meanwhile, on the 10th, fishing vessel N (1-ton class, coastal composite, registered in Goseong, 2 crew members), which had departed around 11:00 from Beopdong Port, Goseong, experienced engine failure due to a broken outboard engine part about 0.5 nautical miles east of Beopdong Port. The crew pressed the V-PASS SOS button and reported the incident around 12:11.

The Coast Guard dispatched patrol vessels, coastal rescue boats from Gwangam Police Station, and the Changwon rescue team to confirm the safety of the crew and towed vessel N back to Beopdong Port, Goseong.

A Coast Guard official stated, “Thanks to the quick report using the V-PASS SOS button inside the fishing vessel, a prompt rescue was possible,” and added, “In case of emergency situations where phone calls are difficult, we hope people will use the SOS button or the Hae(海)Road app.”

Furthermore, the official urged, “Since even minor accidents at sea can cause casualties, it is essential to develop the habit of checking the engine and mechanical parts before departure when operating fishing vessels or powered water leisure equipment at sea.”