'Steel Stake Terror' Removed from Waters off Boryeong... Chungnam Province Urgently Salvages for Vessel Safety

20-Meter, 5-Ton Harbor Construction Pile Salvaged Near Heoyukdo
Hidden Maritime Hazard Removed Through Joint Operation by Chungcheongnam-do Province and Coast Guard

Chungcheongnam-do Province and the Boryeong Coast Guard have preemptively eliminated the risk of maritime safety accidents by urgently salvaging a large harbor construction foundation pile (steel stake) that was threatening vessel navigation in the southwestern waters off Heoyukdo Island. The steel stake, which was repeatedly exposed and submerged due to tidal changes, had long been regarded as an 'underwater time bomb' that heightened anxiety among vessel operators.

On October 14, Chungcheongnam-do Province announced that it had salvaged a harbor construction foundation pile approximately 20 meters in length and weighing about 5 tons from the southwestern waters off Heoyukdo Island in Boryeong.

The pile was embedded in the seabed at an angle of about 45 degrees, with concrete on one end and air trapped in the other.

As a result, during low tide, part of the pile was exposed above the water and swayed with the waves, while at high tide, it was submerged and disappeared from sight, posing a significant threat to vessel navigation. It was reported that nearby fishing boats and tugboats had to detour their routes or reduce their speed to avoid the structure.

Recognizing this danger, the province immediately deployed the environmental cleanup transport vessel 'Neulpureun Chungnam-ho' and, in cooperation with the Boryeong Coast Guard's diving and rescue team, carried out the salvage operation.

Jeon Sangwook, Director of the Provincial Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Bureau, stated, "Although the Neulpureun Chungnam-ho is originally used for transporting marine waste, we successfully completed the difficult salvage operation in cooperation with the Coast Guard and other related agencies to ensure the safety of passing vessels. We will continue to prioritize maritime safety in our policies going forward."