Yellow Sea Collision Between Cargo Ship and Fishing Boat Leaves Two Dead, One Missing Feared

Incheon, South Korea— A 6,000-ton cargo vessel plowed into a small fishing boat in the Yellow Sea early on October 20, sinking the wooden boat within minutes and killing two fishermen who were trapped below deck.

The collision occurred at 5:15 a.m., about 28 kilometers southwest of Incheon Port, in a dense fishing zone where dozens of small boats operate before dawn. The fishing boat, the 12-ton Hae Sung 7, was carrying three crew members returning from an overnight crab run. The cargo vessel, the Panamanian-flagged Ever Rich, was outbound for Qingdao with steel coils.

Korea Herald reported the fishing boat's captain, 63, managed to jump overboard and was rescued by a nearby vessel 20 minutes later. He suffered hypothermia but survived. The other two crew, aged 47 and 52, went down with the boat. Their bodies were recovered by divers at 9:40 a.m. after the Korea Coast Guard located the wreck at 22 meters depth.

The cargo ship's crew said they did not see the fishing boat on radar until it was too late. The fishing boat was not equipped with an Automatic Identification System transponder, which larger vessels rely on. A Coast Guard officer in Incheon said, "In that area at that hour, small boats crowd the fairway with weak lights. The cargo ship was on autopilot. Lookout was inadequate. We will verify this with VDR data."

The Yellow Sea is one of the world's most congested waterways. Fast cargo traffic mixes with artisanal fishing boats that lack modern navigation gear. Fishermen complain that cargo ships rarely slow down near Incheon approaches. The Incheon Fishermen's Association said, "Our boats are invisible to them. They cut through our grounds at 16 knots. We have asked for a separated lane for years."

The Ever Rich has been ordered to anchor at Incheon Outer Anchorage. Its captain and second officer are being questioned. The Korea Coast Guard said it will review the voyage data recorder and bridge audio. Early indications suggest the cargo vessel altered course late and struck the fishing boat on its port quarter, splitting the wooden hull.

The accident has reignited debate over safety requirements for small fishing vessels. Current law does not mandate AIS for boats under 10 tons, though many fishermen say the devices are too expensive and drain batteries. The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries said it will consider subsidies after this incident.

The Hae Sung 7 remains on the seabed. Salvage has been postponed due to strong currents. The families have been notified.

The cargo ship remains detained at anchor.