Police investigating the grounding accident of a ferry off the southwestern coast earlier this week stated Friday they’ll request an arrest warrant for the ship’s first mate and helmsman on fees of inflicting harm by gross negligence.
The primary mate, in his 40s, and the helmsman, an Indonesian nationwide in his 40s, have been apprehended Thursday after the 26,546-ton Queen Jenuvia II carrying 246 passengers and 21 crew members ran aground at an uninhabited islet off the coast of Sinan, South Jeolla Province, the earlier night time.
The 2 are accused of inflicting the grounding accident by not correctly steering the ferry whereas doing one thing else outdoors of labor, in accordance with the Mokpo Coast Guard accountable for the probe.
The primary mate, suspected of his telephone on the time of the accident, was supposed to alter course about 1,600 meters away from the accident website however failed to take action, the Coast Guard stated.
The helmsman tasked with immediately working the important thing or manually altering the automated navigation gadget, reportedly said he was wanting on the gyrocompass contained in the wheelhouse.
The Coast Guard stated it’ll additionally ebook the ship’s captain, in his 60s, who’s accused of staying outdoors the wheelhouse on the time of the accident, on fees of violating the Seafarers Act.
The ferry was en path to the port metropolis of Mokpo after departing from the southern island of Jeju. Not one of the passengers have been severely injured, however some have been taken to hospitals after complaining of gentle pains or nervous breakdowns.
