Fishing Vessels Collide off Wando Coast: Foreign Crew Member Killed, Captain Injured

One Laotian Crew Member Dies

A collision between two fishing vessels off the coast near Wando County, Jeollanam-do resulted in the death of a foreign crew member.

According to the Wando Maritime Police Station on June 3, at approximately 3:34 p.m. that day, a 2.47-ton fishing vessel, Vessel A (three crew members, registered in Geumil), and a 1.63-ton fishing vessel, Vessel B (three crew members, also registered in Geumil), collided in the waters near Yonghang Port in Geumil-eup, Wando County.

Two fishing vessels collided off the coast near Wando County, Jeollanam-do, resulting in the death of one foreign crew member. Photo by Wando Maritime Police Station

As a result of the accident, the Korean captain of Vessel A (in his 30s) and a foreign crew member of Laotian nationality, Mr. D (in his 30s), who were both in the wheelhouse of Vessel A, were found and urgently transported to a hospital. However, Mr. D was already unconscious and was ultimately pronounced dead. The captain reportedly sustained a shoulder injury.

According to the maritime police, Vessel A was returning to port after completing kelp harvesting operations when it collided with Vessel B. Due to the accident, Vessel A suffered damage to its wheelhouse and engine, while Vessel B sustained damage to part of its port bow. Both vessels incurred property damage. After the collision, both vessels were able to return to Yonghang Port under their own power.

The maritime police are currently investigating the exact circumstances of the accident by questioning the captains of both vessels.