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 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 Wednesday.
None of the passengers were seriously injured, but some were taken to hospitals after complaining of mild pains or nervous breakdowns.
According to investigators, the first mate was looking at his phone as the 26,546-ton Queen Jenuvia II approached the uninhabited islet of Jok near Jangsan Island off the coast of Sinan, South Jeolla Province, at around 8 p.m. Wednesday.
The ferry should have turned some 1,600 meters away from the islet, but by the time the first mate realized, the vessel was already within 100 meters of Jok.
The first mate initially faulted the steering gear but later told investigators that he missed the turning point while reading the news.
Investigators also found that the vessel had been left on autopilot when it should have been operated manually to pass through the narrow waters of the accident site.
The helmsman is suspected of negligence and under investigation with the help of an interpreter.
The Coast Guard said it plans to seize the two people’s phones to conduct digital forensic analyses on them and determine the circumstances leading up to the accident.
It is also considering requesting arrest warrants for the two based on concerns they could destroy evidence or flee.
Meanwhile, the ship’s captain, in his 60s, has been booked for investigation after he was found to have left the wheelhouse due to it being his off-hours.
The ferry was carrying 246 passengers and 21 crew members when it ran aground and mounted half the hull on the islet.
All the passengers were safely brought to shore within some three hours of the accident, but the crew members stayed behind to help bring the vessel to port.
The ferry was dislodged by towing and sailed into a nearby port in the southwestern city of Mokpo, South Jeolla Province, at 5:44 a.m. Thursday, some nine hours after it ran aground. No holes or leaks were found in the ship, enabling it to sail on its own.
Passengers later unloaded their cars and luggage from the docked ship. A total of 118 vehicles had been on the vessel as it traveled to Mokpo from the southern island of Jeju.
The ferry’s operator, Seaworld, said it has suspended all services until the investigation and safety inspections are completed.
