Ex-crew members cite serious problems with Sewol-ho ferry
Last Wednesday on April 16th, the Sewol-ho ferry was traveling near the southwestern coast of Jindo Island when it suddenly made an abrupt turn and began listing to one side, leading to its eventual capsize.
But how could a 68-hundred ton vessel have lost control so easily?
According to YTN News, previous crew members who worked on the ferry say they faced repeated problems with the vessel's balance control.
'If you you're in the engine compartment when the ship tilts about 20 degrees, you have this strong feeling of falling over. It was scary since you could be instantly thrown down."
Even when compared to other passenger ships, former crew members say the Sewol-ho had trouble maintaining control amid external shocks from the waves.
"You couldn't turn the wheel very sharply on that boat. You just couldn't. It was dangerous because the dynamic stability was not very good."
They also say the vertical extension and renovations to the cabin deck raised the ship's center of gravity without taking into proper account the water levels in the ballast tanks.
"If you've made a extension [to the ship] then you have to build up the lower tank that holds the water. You can't just add more passengers and cargo.
With these mounting safety risks, the former crewmates said they vowed to never go out to sea again on the Sewol-ho ferry.
"Since that vessel was known to have structural problems, I chose not to board the boat. You'd be throwing your life away if you did."
A joint investigation team will extend their probe to maritime government officials, in order to explain how such an unsafe vessel passed inspections.
Authorities have added that the weight of the Sewol-ho's cargo was also falsely reported, further supporting widespread allegations of a lack of proper supervision and management, all accumulating into a deadly recipe for disaster.
Last Wednesday on April 16th, the Sewol-ho ferry was traveling near the southwestern coast of Jindo Island when it suddenly made an abrupt turn and began listing to one side, leading to its eventual capsize.
But how could a 68-hundred ton vessel have lost control so easily?
According to YTN News, previous crew members who worked on the ferry say they faced repeated problems with the vessel's balance control.
'If you you're in the engine compartment when the ship tilts about 20 degrees, you have this strong feeling of falling over. It was scary since you could be instantly thrown down."
Even when compared to other passenger ships, former crew members say the Sewol-ho had trouble maintaining control amid external shocks from the waves.
"You couldn't turn the wheel very sharply on that boat. You just couldn't. It was dangerous because the dynamic stability was not very good."
They also say the vertical extension and renovations to the cabin deck raised the ship's center of gravity without taking into proper account the water levels in the ballast tanks.
"If you've made a extension [to the ship] then you have to build up the lower tank that holds the water. You can't just add more passengers and cargo.
With these mounting safety risks, the former crewmates said they vowed to never go out to sea again on the Sewol-ho ferry.
"Since that vessel was known to have structural problems, I chose not to board the boat. You'd be throwing your life away if you did."
A joint investigation team will extend their probe to maritime government officials, in order to explain how such an unsafe vessel passed inspections.
Authorities have added that the weight of the Sewol-ho's cargo was also falsely reported, further supporting widespread allegations of a lack of proper supervision and management, all accumulating into a deadly recipe for disaster.