The Busan Coast Guard has arrested three Vietnamese crew members after a violent onboard disturbance involving assault, threats with weapons, and damage to cabin doors on a cargo vessel anchored off Busan. Authorities say the incident posed a serious threat to the safety of the crew and the vessel.
Crew Member Assaulted After Noise Complaint
The incident occurred on the 9th aboard a 2,998-ton Panamanian-flagged cargo ship docked at Gamcheon Port in Busan’s Saha-gu district. According to the coast guard, the three suspects were drinking and singing loudly in the ship’s mess hall when a fellow Vietnamese crew member asked them to lower their voices.
The request angered the group, leading them to strike the victim’s face and head using chairs and their fists. They also threatened him with a weapon, escalating the situation into a serious onboard safety threat.
Suspects Attempted to Break Into Captain’s Cabin
After the assault, the captain planned to remove the three disruptive crew members from the vessel and report them to the shipping company. Upon hearing this, the suspects armed themselves with fire axes and iron hammers and tried to break down the captain’s cabin door.
When they failed, they proceeded to damage the doors of other crew members’ cabins. A local agent reported the situation to the coast guard, who boarded the vessel and arrested the suspects. In total, 15 Vietnamese nationals were serving as crew on the ship.
A Busan Coast Guard official emphasized the seriousness of the offense, stating that the violent behavior could have escalated to life-threatening crimes. Arrest warrants were obtained on the 11th from the Busan District Court’s Western Branch, and authorities pledged a strong response to any actions that endanger safety aboard vessels or in port areas.
The incident underscores the importance of strict discipline and swift intervention during onboard conflicts. The Busan Coast Guard’s response highlights a zero-tolerance approach to violence at sea, especially when weapons are involved. Authorities reaffirmed their commitment to protecting crew welfare and maintaining order on vessels operating in Korean waters.
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Source: The CHOSUN DAILY
