Pyeongtaek Port: Tugboat booked for allegedly dumping oily wastewater

South Korean authorities have apprehended a tugboat for allegedly discharging approximately 1,000 liters of oily bilge water into the sea at Pyeongtaek Port. The Pyeongtaek Coast Guard booked the chief engineer of the 50-ton vessel on charges related to violating the Marine Environment Management Act. The incident occurred on June 9, when the tugboat, identified as vessel A from Incheon, is accused of illegally releasing the wastewater from its engine room into the waters of the inner harbor. Following a report of an oil slick, the Coast Guard, in collaboration with the Marine Environment Management Corporation, conducted an emergency containment operation. Investigators faced challenges in securing evidence and identifying the vessel due to a lack of witnesses and heavy rainfall at the time. However, a thorough analysis of surrounding CCTV footage and vessel movement data allowed the Coast Guard to pinpoint the tugboat as it moved to Incheon Port on June 20, confirming the illegal discharge.