Yeosu Coast Guard Detects Pollutant Spill at Sapo Pier 1

Pipe Rupture During Unloading Operations
Causes Marine Pollution

The Yeosu Coast Guard in South Jeolla Province announced on January 19 that it had apprehended Vessel A (4,688 tons) on charges including violations of the Marine Environment Management Act while it was engaged in cargo loading and unloading operations at Yeosu Sapo Pier 1.

According to the Yeosu Coast Guard, at around 3:01 p.m. on January 18, they received a report that hydraulic oil had leaked into the sea from Vessel A, which was moored at Sapo Pier 1. Upon arriving at the scene, they confirmed the presence of a yellow oil slick near the vessel.

Yeosu Coast Guard apprehended Vessel A (4,688 tons), which was engaged in cargo loading and unloading operations at Yeosu Sapo Pier 1, on charges of violating Article 22 (Prohibition of Discharge of Pollutants, etc.) of the Marine Environment Management Act. Photo by Yeosu Coast Guard

An investigation revealed that approximately 48 liters of hydraulic oil had been discharged into the sea after an unidentified rupture occurred in the hydraulic pipe of Vessel A.

The Yeosu Coast Guard immediately deployed two response vessels and three private response ships to carry out containment and cleanup operations around Vessel A. Samples from the sea and the vessel are currently being collected and analyzed to determine the exact cause of the incident.

Under relevant laws, discharging oil or other pollutants into the sea may result in imprisonment for up to five years or a fine of up to 50 million won.

A Yeosu Coast Guard official stated, "Oil spill incidents from vessels can cause severe damage to the marine environment. We will continue to do our utmost to prevent marine pollution accidents in advance and maintain a clean sea through prompt and accurate response as well as ongoing monitoring and enforcement."