Queen Zenobia 2 is entering a port in Mokpo after being freed from grounding. Photo by Mokpo Coast Guard
The Queen Zenobia 2, a large 26,000-ton ferry that ran aground on an uninhabited island in Sinan, South Jeolla Province, has temporarily suspended operations after entering a nearby port about nine hours later. The vessel will now undergo an accident investigation and safety inspection.
The Mokpo Coast Guard will begin an inspection of the vessel on November 20 to investigate the cause of the grounding accident involving the Queen Zenobia 2.
The Coast Guard plans to secure closed-circuit (CC) TV footage showing the interior and exterior of the ship, as well as voyage data recorders, to thoroughly determine the exact circumstances of the accident.
Since the ship ran aground as if it had mounted the island, a safety inspection for future operations will also be conducted simultaneously.
Seaworld Express Ferry, the operator, has announced a temporary suspension of service until the investigation and inspections are complete, and has canceled the scheduled voyage for the day.
The company also began follow-up recovery operations on the morning of November 20.
Starting at 7 a.m. that day, passengers were guided on how to disembark their vehicles and cargo from the ferry.
Passengers will be able to collect their vehicles and luggage after completing safety and identity verification procedures with the relevant authorities.
The Queen Zenobia 2, which departed Jeju carrying 246 passengers and 21 crew members-a total of 267 people-along with 118 passenger vehicles, ran aground on an uninhabited island while en route to Mokpo.
All passengers were rescued by Coast Guard vessels and other rescue boats, but since they had to leave their vehicles and cargo behind, they stayed in accommodations provided by the ferry operator until the vessel returned to port.
The ferry entered Samhak Pier in Mokpo under its own power at approximately 5:44 a.m., 9 hours and 27 minutes after the accident occurred. All passengers on board were safely rescued, but 27 people were transported to the hospital after reporting minor pain or nervous exhaustion caused by the shock of the grounding.
No serious injuries have been reported.
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