25.11.20.Today News : Passenger Ferry Ran Aground Due to ‘Mobile Phone Use’… Two Crew Members Responsible for Navigation Arrested

Passenger Ferry Ran Aground Due to ‘Mobile Phone Use’… Two Crew Members Responsible for Navigation Arrested

📍267-Passenger Ferry Hits Reef After Officer Misses Turn While ‘Checking News’

Korean maritime police have arrested the first officer and helmsman of the ferry Queen Zenobia II on charges of gross negligence after the vessel ran aground off Sinan, injuring dozens. Investigators found that the first officer missed a critical turning point because he was checking his phone.

The Coast Guard has urgently arrested the chief mate and helmsman on charges of gross negligence causing injury.

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🔹 First Officer Missed Critical Turn While Using Phone
Investigations showed that First Officer A failed to change course in a dangerous narrow channel. He should have turned the vessel 1.6 km before the reef but noticed the situation only 100 meters before the uninhabited island. He initially claimed the steering gear malfunctioned but later admitted, “I missed the turn because I was checking news on my phone.”

🔹 Failure to Switch From Autopilot to Manual Operation
The area required manual navigation, but A did not switch off the autopilot. At the time, the ferry was traveling at 22 knots (40–45 km/h), and the grounding occurred a few minutes after passing the turning point.

🔹 Foreign Helmsman Also Arrested
The Indonesian helmsman B, who was with A in the bridge, was also arrested for failing to perform his duties.
Authorities have seized both men’s mobile phones for digital forensic analysis.

🔹 Captain Under Investigation for Leaving the Bridge
The 60-year-old captain C was not in the wheelhouse at the time of the accident, claiming he was off duty.
However, the Coast Guard noted that captains must directly supervise navigation in hazardous channels.

🔹 Orderly Evacuation Prevents Casualties
Queen Zenobia II grounded at 8:16 p.m. on the 19th with 267 people onboard. Thirty passengers suffered minor injuries but no one was seriously hurt. Announcements instructed passengers to evacuate calmly, with priority given to children, pregnant women, and the elderly. Crew members remained onboard until the evacuation was completed.

🔹 Investigators Point to Human Error
The Coast Guard stated that the grounding appears to have resulted from navigational negligence by the captain or first officer. Additional investigation into the vessel’s route, autopilot settings, and bridge operations is underway. Authorities will coordinate with the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries on refloating and towing plans.

One-line summary : A ferry carrying 267 people ran aground after the first officer, distracted by his phone, missed the turn, leading to the arrest of him and the helmsman.