- Korea Coast Guard’s Seogwipo branch swiftly responded to the distress call.
- President Yoon Suk-yeol intervened in the rescue mission.
- Despite challenging conditions, all 11 crew members, including South Koreans, Indonesians, and Myanmar nationals, were successfully rescued.
A general cargo ship encountered a critical situation while sailing from Gwangyang, South Korea, to China.
The vessel faced flooding 61km southwest off Seogwipo, Jeju Island, amid adverse weather conditions, reports Container News.
Rescue Efforts by Korea Coast Guard
Korea Coast Guard’s Seogwipo branch swiftly responded to the distress call, dispatching eight patrol vessels and two helicopters despite challenging weather conditions.
Strong winds and high waves hampered the rescue operation, making helicopter deployment unsafe, and necessitating reliance on patrol vessels.
Presidential Intervention
President Yoon Suk-yeol intervened in the rescue mission following a report received at midnight on February 15.
He instructed relevant authorities to activate a comprehensive cooperation system, involving public-private-military entities, to prioritize the rescue of the stranded crew.
Multi-Faceted Rescue Strategy
In addition to Coast Guard efforts, nearby ships were alerted to assist in locating and rescuing the crew.
Crew members took proactive measures by tying a rope to the vessel and jumping into the water after sending a distress call.
Successful Rescue Operation
Despite challenging conditions, all 11 crew members, including South Koreans, Indonesians, and Myanmar nationals, were successfully rescued by 1:30 am on February 16.
However, the vessel continued to list, worsening to 50 degrees, and ultimately sank early on February 17 due to ongoing flooding.
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Source: Container news
