What if a fire breaks out on a Han River cruise ship? Seoul to deploy 25 vessels in water-rescue drill

[Financial News] As more large vessels use the Han River due to Hangang Bus operations and other factors, the Seoul Metropolitan Government is expanding its drills for responding to water-related accidents. The exercise will simulate a fire breaking out on a cruise ship and assess how relevant agencies work together, from rescuing passengers and extinguishing the fire to towing the stricken vessel. The Seoul Metropolitan Government announced on the 23rd that it will hold a comprehensive on-scene response drill for water-related accidents near the Hangang Bus terminal in Yeouido at 9:30 a.m. on the 27th. It plans to increase the drill from once to twice a year starting this year to prepare for accidents involving large vessels.
Participants will include the Seoul Metropolitan Government’s Future Hangang Headquarters, the 119 Water Rescue Team, the Han River Police Unit, Yeongdeungpo Fire Station, Yeongdeungpo Police Station, the Seoul Branch of the Korean Red Cross, and private cruise operators. The drill will involve 165 personnel, 25 vessels and three vehicles.
The exercise will simulate an arson fire in the cabin of a cruise ship while it is underway. It will begin with the Han River Police Unit boarding the stricken vessel, ensuring the passengers’ safety and apprehending the arsonist.
The Future Hangang Headquarters and the 119 Water Rescue Team will then rescue around 50 passengers and bring them ashore. Firefighting will also be carried out using vessels, including fireboats. After the fire is extinguished, the drill will assess follow-up measures, including containing oil spilled around the cruise ship and towing the stricken vessel to a safe location.
Through the exercise, the Seoul Metropolitan Government will review cooperation among rescue agencies in the initial stages of an accident and on-scene response procedures. It aims to ensure that rescue and recovery operations can be carried out swiftly if an actual accident occurs.
Park Jin-young, head of the Seoul Metropolitan Government’s Future Hangang Headquarters, said, “It is of utmost importance not only to ensure the safety of large vessels frequently used by family tourists, but also to have a system in place for swift action and response in the event of an accident. We will continue to conduct realistic drills and training for a range of scenarios so that citizens can use the Han River with peace of mind.”

[email protected] Seong Chorong Reporter