Shipyards and airlines join Sewol rescue

Shipbuilders rush marine cranes and volunteers to the scene and airlines are ready to send aircrafts with relief items

AsiaToday reporter Lee Jung-pil = The resources of South Korea‘s shipbuilding and aviation industry are gathering strength to recover the ’Sewol‘, which sank at the sea off Jindo, the southwest corner of the Korean peninsula, on the 16th. On the day of the accident, shipbuilders immediately sent floating cranes and are expected to begin salvaging as the cranes arrive on April 18 at the Sewol wreck site. Airlines are expected to send aircrafts carrying relief supplies soon.

According to industry sources on the 17th, Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering (DSME), which has an experience for salvaging the wrecked Cheonan ship in 2010, responded fast for this national disaster. When the Coast Guard requested help to the company after the accident, DSME president Goh Jae-ho immediately ordered, “There is no time to lose. As soon as preparation gets ready, leave immediately.”

DSME advanced its scheduled departure date and its floating crane ’Okpo No. 3600‘ departed to Jindo from Okpo Shipyard on April 16 at 7:45PM. The Okpo 3600 is DSME’s biggest floating crane which can lift up to 3130 tons. The floating crane is expected to salvage the ferry on the 18th. The company sent 39 people for floating crane delivery and site operation.

Samsung Heavy Industries also sent 3,600 ton-class floating crane, ‘Samsung No. 2’ from Geoje Shipyard on the day of accident at 8 PM. Three tug boats and 33 people were accompanied and the Samsung No. 2 is expected to arrive at the site around noon on April 18.

Hyundai Heavy Industries dispatched 200 volunteers from Hyundai Samho Heavy Industries, which has a shipyard near the location the Sewol sank. Hyundai Samho Heavy Industries took three tug boats and three ambulances along and sent 15 divers for lifesaving.

Hotel Hyundai, which is located 20 minutes from Jindo, provided accommodations for missing passengers‘ families and rescuers.

Hanjin Heavy Industries is also ready to provide any help upon request of the Coast Guard.

Airlines including Korean Air are also discussing scale of support and input timing.