Six Missing as South Korea Raids Shipping Firms Over Tugboat Disaster
Busan Coast Guard seizes documents after the TNS Catcher capsized with eight crew on board, leaving six unaccounted for.
South Korea’s Busan Coast Guard has intensified its investigation into the capsizing of the tugboat TNS Catcher, which left five crew members missing near the Port of Busan. The incident occurred while the vessel was assisting the container ship MSC Ikaria VI on September 2, 2026.
The TNS Catcher, a 444-gross-ton tugboat built in 2007, had an eight-member crew at the time of the accident. One crew member, the ship’s cook, managed to climb onto the tug’s roof as it began to sink and was later rescued by the container ship’s crew using a ladder. A second crew member was found unconscious near the vessel and pronounced dead upon arrival at the hospital. The remaining six remain missing, though search operations have been hampered by poor weather conditions.
Search Efforts Resume After Weather Delays: tugboat capsizing
On September 8, authorities deployed 15 ships and 7 aircraft, along with 48 personnel from the Busan and Ulsan Coast Guards, to search a 19-mile radius. Thermal imaging equipment was used to aid the effort, particularly in low-light conditions. The South Korean Navy has since located the wreck at a depth of 87 meters (285 feet), and remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) will be used to inspect the site once visibility improves.
Coast Guard officials conducted raids at six locations, including the offices of a shipping company, to seize documents and gather evidence related to the incident. While authorities have not disclosed the specific focus of their investigation, they confirmed that 41 experts are analyzing the case.
Investigation Focuses on Tugboat’s Maneuvering
Footage of the accident shows the TNS Catcher pulling the MSC Ikaria VI from its starboard side before making a sharp turn, losing stability, and capsizing. Investigators are examining the tug’s speed, turning angle, and positioning relative to the container ship to determine the cause of the accident. The tug remained afloat for several hours before drifting and sinking.
The Liberian-registered MSC Ikaria VI, a 5,576-TEU capacity vessel, has been ordered to remain at Busan Port until the investigation concludes. Authorities have not provided a timeline for the probe but emphasized that ROVs will play a key role in recovering evidence from the wreck.
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