South Korea’s Busan Coast Guard has searched the offices of six companies and a shipping association as part of its investigation into the loss of the tug TNS Catcher during an operation involving the containership MSC Ikaria VI at the Port of Busan.
Investigators also inspected MSC Ikaria VI, which remains docked in Busan while the inquiry continues. The Coast Guard described the office action as a search and seizure but did not disclose what information it was seeking or how the other companies were connected to the incident.
Built in 2007, the 444-gross-ton TNS Catcher was one of three tugs assigned on 2 September to assist MSC Ikaria VI, a 67,164-dwt containership, with maneuvering. The tug was 34 m long and had eight crew members aboard.
One crew member, the cook, escaped after the tug capsized and climbed onto the vessel. Crew aboard MSC Ikaria VI saw him and lowered a ladder. Another crew member was recovered from the water and later pronounced dead at a local hospital. Six crew members remain missing.
The Coast Guard deployed 41 investigators and has obtained position data, AIS information and CCTV footage of the incident. Investigators will also review data from the voice data recorder and other available information.
Video footage showed two tugs pulling from the starboard side of MSC Ikaria VI, while a third tug pushed from the port side. TNS Catcher appeared to be turning before it suddenly rolled over. The investigation is examining the vessel’s speed, turning rate and the force from the towline.
The capsized tug remained afloat for several hours before sinking after drifting to a position about 5.5 miles from Busan. The South Korean Navy later located the wreck at a depth of approximately 87 m.
Visibility at the wreck site was initially limited but later improved. Plans called for ROVs to be used for a more complete search of the tug.
The search for the six missing crew members resumed after bad weather had restricted operations. On 8 September, the Coast Guard said it was searching an area 19 miles wide, with 15 vessels and seven aircraft deployed during the day.
The Navy is also using thermal observation devices. Personnel from 48 Coast Guard stations in Busan and Ulsan have joined marine rescue units in the ongoing search.
Liberia-registered MSC Ikaria VI is 279 m long and has a capacity of 5,576 TEU.
