Fisherman gives up nets to save eight at sea

“Is money the issue? Saving lives comes first,” said Jang Jeong-gil, 53, captain of the 24-ton fishing vessel Haedeok No. 237 based in Tongyeong. On March 31, the captain said he did not hesitate to cut his nets and steer toward a burning ship.

Jang was fishing about 3.5 kilometers away in waters southwest of Jeju Island on March 14 when he received a distress call reporting a fire aboard a nearby ship. He immediately cut his nets and set course for the scene. The abandoned gear, used to catch croaker and other fish, was worth about 10 million won.

According to police and coast guard officials, the fire broke out at about 10 a.m. on Vessel A, a 29-ton boat based in Hallim, Jeju, with 10 crew members on board, about 83 kilometers southwest of Marado. After notifying the coast guard, the captain issued an emergency radio call to nearby vessels.

Jang responded at once. Free from the drag of heavy nets, his boat reached the scene in about 15 minutes. Flames were already engulfing the vessel. Bringing his boat alongside carried significant risk, as the fire could spread. Despite warnings from his crew to keep a safe distance, Jang judged that lives were in immediate danger. He maneuvered Haedeok No. 237 close to the burning ship and rescued eight crew members.

“When lives are at stake right in front of you, there is no time to hesitate,” Jang said. “Among seafarers, there is an unspoken rule that you help others in danger as if it were your own emergency.”

His swift decision helped prevent greater loss of life. The Jeju Coast Guard on March 31 presented him with a certificate of appreciation on behalf of the Korea Coast Guard. An official said Jang brought his vessel alongside the stricken ship to carry out the rescue and later voluntarily joined the search for two missing crew members.

After the rescue, Jang returned to retrieve his nets but could not recover them. “Saving eight lives means more to me than any financial loss,” he said. “I just hope the two missing crew members are found soon.”


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