Residents say ferry operation standards for routes serving the islands of Ongjin County in Incheon are inconsistent, and frustrations are growing.
On the 28th, the Incheon Ilbo reported that Daebu High-Speed Ferry No. 9 — which runs from Deokjeokdo through Soijakdo, Deiajakdo, Seungbongdo and Jawoldo before returning to Incheon Port — canceled all sailings on the morning of the 20th, citing forecasts of worsening weather later that day.
The prior day’s “tomorrow’s sailing forecast” had indicated normal operations, and winds that morning registered 4–8 m/s (about 9–18 mph). Forecasters later predicted winds would climb to roughly 14 m/s (about 31 mph) in the afternoon, prompting the operator to cancel the day’s schedule. The vessel’s operating rules prohibit departures when wind speeds reach or exceed 13 m/s (about 29 mph).
Residents and tourists asked that, if round trips were impossible, at least a one-way morning sailing to Incheon Port be allowed. The Korea Maritime Transportation Safety Authority (KOMSA) Incheon Operations Control Center declined, saying the service is planned as a round-trip and that a one-way morning run could disrupt the following day’s schedule.
The carrier, Daebu Shipping, proposed adjusting its service plan to permit one-way trips, but the Incheon Operations Control Center, which issues final approval, initially maintained the full-cancellation stance.
Later that day, however, sailings abruptly resumed around 4 p.m. Officials who had cited the impracticality of one-way morning runs allowed a one-way departure late in the afternoon.
The restart notice arrived only 30 minutes before departure, triggering confusion at the pier. Some tourists argued with lodging operators over canceled reservations; others hurried down from hikes to the dock and still missed the boat.
Island residents say the operations center applies its standards inconsistently.
“They wouldn’t run the ferries in the morning even though the weather was fine, but after complaints they resumed one-way service in the afternoon when the wind had actually picked up,” said Jung Jin-heon, 57, chair of the Ongjin County Residents’ Self-Governance Council and a resident of Deiajakdo. “It feels like safety standards change depending on the situation. This has happened about five times over the past three years.”
The Incheon Operations Control Center said it decided at 6 a.m. to halt departures after the Korea Meteorological Administration forecasted a sharp deterioration in conditions around noon. “Because the route is operated on a round-trip basis, we must restrict departures if we judge a return will be difficult,” the center said.
The center added that the carrier later requested a one-way sailing to assist passengers, and real-time observations showed winds peaking and then easing after 3:30 p.m. Officials reviewed conditions at each port of call and, following operating rules, approved the sailing.
/Reporter Seul-gi Jeong zaa@incheonilbo.com
