Mokpo: The Coast Guard on Thursday detained the first mate and the helmsman of a passenger ferry that ran aground off the southwestern coast, leading to the rescue of all 267 people aboard. The first mate, in his 40s, and the helmsman, an Indonesian national also in his 40s, were apprehended on charges of causing injury by gross negligence after both were found to have neglected their duties before the accident on Wednesday.
According to Yonhap News Agency, investigators revealed that the first mate was distracted by his phone as the 26,546-ton Queen Jenuvia II neared the uninhabited islet of Jok near Jangsan Island off the coast of Sinan, 366 kilometers south of Seoul. The ferry, which should have turned approximately 1,600 meters away from the islet, was already within 100 meters when the first mate realized the mistake. Initially, he blamed the steering gear but later admitted to missing the turning point due to reading the news.
The investigation also uncovered that the ferry was left on autopilot when manual operation was necessary to navigate the narrow waters. The helmsman is under investigation for negligence, with assistance from an interpreter. The Coast Guard plans to seize the mobile phones of the two detained individuals for digital forensic analysis to further understand the circumstances leading to the accident. They are also considering requesting arrest warrants due to concerns about potential evidence destruction or flight risks.
In the meantime, the ship's captain, in his 60s, has been booked for investigation as he was absent from the wheelhouse during his off-hours when the incident occurred. The ferry, carrying 246 passengers and 21 crew members, had run aground and mounted half the hull on the islet. While all passengers were safely brought ashore within three hours, the crew remained to assist in bringing the vessel to port.
The Queen Jenuvia II was dislodged by towing and arrived at a port in Mokpo at 5:44 a.m. Thursday, nine hours after the grounding. The ship was free of holes or leaks, allowing it to sail independently. Passengers subsequently unloaded their vehicles and luggage from the docked vessel, which carried a total of 118 vehicles during its journey from Jeju to Mokpo.
Seaworld, the operator of the ferry, has suspended all services pending the completion of the investigation and safety inspections.