Fisherman Injured by Snapped Rope at Sea, Rescued in Incheon

A 50-year-old fisherman has been hospitalized after sustaining serious injuries from a snapped fishing net rope while working at sea. The incident occurred around 3:01 PM on Tuesday in waters approximately 20 nautical miles northwest of Deokjeokdo Island in Ongjin County, Incheon.

The fisherman, identified as Mr. G, a Chinese national working on a 48-ton fishing vessel, suffered significant facial injuries. Fortunately, his condition is not life-threatening. Following the report, the Incheon Coast Guard dispatched a patrol vessel and requested helicopter support from the fire department.

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Considering the patient's condition, his life could have been in danger if the transfer had been delayed by about 10 minutes. We were able to secure the golden time through the cooperation of related agencies.

Considering the time it would take for a larger Coast Guard vessel to dock, a smaller marine research vessel was utilized to transfer the patient to Deokjeokdo Island. There, he was handed over to a fire department ambulance and subsequently airlifted by helicopter to Gachon University Gil Medical Center. The Coast Guard estimates that this coordinated effort, involving multiple agencies, saved over an hour compared to a direct transfer by a Coast Guard vessel alone.

A representative from Gil Medical Center stated that the patient's life could have been in danger had the transfer been delayed by even 10 minutes, highlighting the critical importance of the "golden time" achieved through inter-agency cooperation. The Incheon Coast Guard is currently investigating the exact circumstances of the accident.

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We will do our best to ensure a faster transfer of emergency patients at sea through close cooperation with related agencies.