South Korean authorities are investigating a ferry grounding incident that stranded 246 passengers near Sinan County, South Jeolla Province, on Wednesday evening. The Queen Jenuvia II ran aground while navigating narrow, reef-dense waters requiring manual steering, raising serious concerns about crew oversight and maritime safety.
Police arrested the ferry’s navigator and helmsman, citing gross negligence as the main cause of the ferry grounding incident. Investigators found that the navigator used his phone and left the vessel on autopilot, missing a critical maneuver. The helmsman is under investigation for failing to disengage the autopilot, which could have prevented the accident.
Officials also questioned the captain, who was not on duty but had to supervise the high-risk route. The Coast Guard secured navigation records and onboard camera footage to analyze the events that led to the ferry grounding incident.
The 26,546-ton vessel carried 246 passengers and 21 crew members when it struck an uninhabited islet near Jangsan Island. Authorities reported approximately 30 passengers suffered minor injuries, and medical teams treated all of them at local hospitals. Twenty-six injured passengers were discharged Thursday morning, while others went home or stayed at nearby hotels.
The ferry remained afloat despite grounding. Tugboats refloated it, and it sailed under its own power to Mokpo about nine hours after the incident. The operator, Seaworld, suspended all ferry services until investigators complete safety inspections.
Authorities said they might expand the investigation if evidence shows criminal liability beyond negligence. Police may seek formal arrest warrants for the detained crew members.
Maritime safety experts noted that the ferry grounding incident highlights ongoing risks in narrow coastal passages where human error can cause serious accidents. Regulators are reviewing safety procedures and may enforce stricter rules and real-time monitoring to prevent future incidents.
The accident has prompted industry-wide discussions about crew training, vessel oversight, and adherence to maritime protocols. Authorities aim to restore public confidence and ensure lessons from the ferry grounding incident improve operational standards.
