Bilge Water Discharged by Vessel Near Geobukseon Bridge in Yeosu... Coast Guard Investigates

Approximately 50 liters of bilge water were accidentally discharged by a vessel during equipment inspection near the Geobukseon Bridge in Yeosu, South Jeolla Province, and the incident was detected by the Coast Guard.

The Yeosu Maritime Police pollution control vessel is conducting containment operations to prevent the spread of an oil slick near the Geobukseon Bridge. Provided by Yeosu Maritime Police.

The Yeosu Coast Guard announced on the 3rd that at around 4:28 p.m. the previous day, a 139-ton vessel, referred to as Vessel A, was found to have violated the Marine Environment Management Act by causing marine pollution near the Geobukseon Bridge in Yeosu.

The Coast Guard received a report of a rainbow-colored oil film on the water at anchorage W and responded to the scene to conduct containment operations. While working, they also discovered an oil film spreading around Vessel A and immediately launched an investigation.

The investigation revealed that Vessel A, while moving after repairs at a shipyard, accidentally activated the submersible pump switch during equipment inspection, resulting in the discharge of approximately 50 liters of bilge water (an oily mixture collected at the bottom of the vessel) into the sea.

Yeosu Coast Guard officers are collecting samples on the sea surface covered with an oil film, investigating the marine pollution site. Provided by Yeosu Coast Guard

Over the past three years, the Yeosu Coast Guard has received an average of 208 marine pollution reports per year, with 126 cases reported as of the end of September this year. The Coast Guard explained that most incidents involve the discharge of light oil, which appears as a faint rainbow or silvery oil film, and are primarily caused by small vessels such as fishing boats illegally releasing bilge water.

A Coast Guard official stated, "Illegal discharge of oil or other pollutants into the ocean can result in up to five years of imprisonment or a fine of up to 50 million won under the Marine Environment Management Act." The official added, "We plan to strengthen surveillance using drones during vulnerable hours such as nighttime or early morning to continue cracking down on illegal discharges."