Fishing Boat Passenger Missing at Jinhae Angol Port... Intensive Search by Patrol Vessels and Aircraft

Changwon Coast Guard (headed by Ok Changmook) announced that at around 7:10 a.m. on November 2, they received a report that a male passenger in his 60s, Mr. N, a resident of Busan, had gone missing from the 9-ton-class fishing boat G, which had entered Jinhae Angol Port. The Coast Guard has launched a large-scale search operation.

Changwon Coast Guard is searching for missing persons from a fishing boat. Provided by Changwon Coast Guard.

According to the Changwon Coast Guard, the fishing boat G departed from Jinhae Angol Port at 1:41 p.m. on November 1, conducted fishing operations near Hongdo, Geoje City, and returned to the port at 6:45 a.m. on November 2.

During a headcount after returning, it was discovered that passenger Mr. N was missing, and a report was filed through the Shinhang Coast Guard Substation at around 7:10 a.m.

Based on the last known location signal from the missing person's mobile phone and statements from other passengers, the Coast Guard identified the presumed location of disappearance as approximately 5.3 nautical miles north of Hongdo. It was reported that Mr. N was wearing a life jacket when last seen.

Upon receiving the report, the Changwon Coast Guard immediately deployed patrol vessels, coastal rescue boats, rescue teams, and aircraft. As of now, 12 vessels including patrol boats, one aircraft, and nine members of the maritime disaster rescue team are conducting intensive searches in the accident area and surrounding waters.

A Coast Guard official stated, "We are expanding the search area, taking into account weather and sea conditions," adding, "We will do our utmost to locate the missing person as quickly as possible."