The influx of gulfweed on the local coasts is causing accidents. Vessels are getting stuck in the tangled brown seaweed and experiencing engine failure.
On June 4th, a fishing vessel was capsized as it attempted to avoid masses of the seaweed near the (조천) Jocheon Port in the Jeju District.
In another incident on May 31st, a motorboat was coiled up by gulfweed at the (대평) Daepyeong Port down south in Seogwipo.
Todd Thacker reports.

A fishing vessel tows another capsized fishing vessel to port.

The 3.28 ton boat capsized at around 4:10 p.m. on June 4th, as it attempted to avoid masses of gulfweed near (조천) Jocheon Port, Jeju City.


In another incident on May 31st, a motorboat had its engine coiled by gulfweed in the vicinity of (대평) Daepyeong Port in Seogwipo. Engine problems were thought to be due to brown seaweed. Nine divers onboard were adrift until they could secure help.


Masses of the brown seaweed are easily spotted near local ports.
The plant floats around anchored vessels.
Fishermen have warned of its presence offshore and complained of its pungent smell.


Some 4,700 tons of gulfweed have been collected this year. That’s five times the amount collected last year.
And that exceeds the record of 4,400 tons set in 2017.
Increasing amounts of the plant continue to be found in Jeju waters.

As gulfweed is expected to be a big problem until at least the end of the month, the island's fishing vessels will continue to be in danger of marine accidents.

Todd Thacker, KCTV