Human error was prone to blame for a passenger ferry’s working aground off the southwestern coast this week, the Coast Guard stated Thursday, in spite of everything 267 individuals aboard have been safely rescued.
The 26,546-ton Queen Jenuvia II was carrying 246 passengers and 21 crew members when it ran aground on the uninhabited islet of Jok close to Jangsan Island off the coast of Sinan, South Jeolla Province, at 8:17 p.m. Wednesday.
Through the first spherical of questioning, crew members instructed the Coast Guard that the navigator in cost on the time was taking a look at his cellphone, leaving the vessel on autopilot when it ought to have been operated manually to move by slim waters.
Consequently, the ferry sailed previous the purpose the place it ought to have veered and ran aground the islet, stopping after half the hull had mounted the land.
The Coast Guard stated it plans to hunt felony fees towards these accountable.
The ferry was dislodged by towing and sailed into a close-by port within the southwestern metropolis of Mokpo at 5:44 a.m., some 9 hours after it ran aground. No holes or leaks have been discovered within the ship, enabling it to sail by itself.
All of the passengers have been delivered to shore beforehand, inside some three hours of the accident, however the crew members stayed behind to assist convey the vessel to port.
Not one of the passengers have been reported to be severely injured, although some have been taken to hospitals after complaining of delicate pains or nervous breakdowns.
The ferry’s operator, Seaworld, stated it has suspended all companies till the investigation and security inspections are accomplished.
Passengers have been knowledgeable to unload their vehicles and baggage after the ferry arrived at port. A complete of 118 autos had been on the vessel because it traveled to Mokpo from the southern island of Jeju.
