Search for capsized tugboat off Busan faces difficulties on third day due to worsening weather

[Financial News] The Coast Guard’s search for the crew of the tugboat TNS Catcher, which capsized off the coast of Busan on the 2nd, is continuing for the third day but is facing difficulties due to deteriorating weather conditions. With a rough seas advisory in effect, underwater search operations have become difficult, leading to a switch to a surface search.
According to the Busan Coast Guard on the 4th, the search continues for the remaining crew members out of the eight aboard the tugboat, excluding the two rescued (one survivor and one deceased). During the night search conducted the previous night, the Coast Guard and other relevant agencies deployed 14 vessels and aircraft. However, no missing persons or personal belongings were found.
Moreover, the search is facing difficulties due to poor weather conditions. The high seas advisory issued today for the waters off Busan is expected to continue until the 8th. Currently, strong northeasterly winds of 20–24 m/s are blowing at sea. Wave heights in the area have reached 4–4.5 meters. Consequently, as underwater search has become impossible, intensive search operations are being conducted on the surface across an area measuring 35 km by 50 km.
The Coast Guard is also searching coastal areas near the accident site, including Gwangalli Beach, Songjeong Beach, and Gijang beaches.
According to the Coast Guard, the 286-ton tugboat TNS Catcher capsized at 1:29 PM on the 2nd, approximately 9 km southeast of Oryukdo Islets, Busan, and two people were rescued. One South Korean crew member, who was rescued unconscious and transferred to a hospital, eventually passed away. At the time, a total of eight crew members were on board the TNS Catcher, including six South Koreans and two Indonesians. Six people remain missing to date.
[email protected] Baek Chang-hoon Reporter