4t-Class Fishing Boat Capsizes Off Yeosu Sogeomdo Coast

Navy and Civilian Fishing Vessels Jointly Conduct Intensive Search for Missing Captain

Yeosu Maritime Police Station (Chief Choi Kyung-geun) announced, "A 4-ton fishing boat capsized near Sogeomun-do, Yeosu, resulting in one captain missing, and a focused night search is underway."

According to Yeosu Maritime Police, at around 7:20 PM on the 1st, a report was received that a 4-ton fishing boat A (registered in Goheung, with 4 crew members on board) capsized 1.8 km northeast off Sogeomun-do, Samsan-myeon, Yeosu City.

Yeosu Maritime Police Agency is conducting an intensive night search after a 4-ton fishing boat capsized near Sogeomun-do, Yeosu, with one captain missing.
Photo of the capsized 4-ton fishing boat [Photo by Yeosu Maritime Police]

The maritime police dispatched seven patrol vessels to the scene and, with the aid of flares dropped by a naval aircraft and three civilian fishing boats, divided the approximately 9.2 km radius accident area into five zones for a joint search.

Underwater rescue personnel from the maritime police searched inside the capsized boat, including the wheelhouse, but have not yet found the captain.

According to statements from the rescued crew members, while the fishing boat was sailing, waves washed over the deck and seawater filled the cabin, prompting the crew to exit the vessel. The captain was reportedly using a radio to call for help from nearby boats when the vessel suddenly tilted sharply to port side and capsized.

A Yeosu Maritime Police official stated, "Due to unfavorable weather conditions at the time of the accident, water filled the interior of the hull causing the boat to overturn. We are concentrating our search efforts to find the missing captain."