The Queen-Jenuvia-Ii: Crew Feedback and Vessel Data

In a significant legal development, the crew members of the ill-fated 'Queen Jenuvia 2' have been indicted and taken into custody following the vessel's grounding on an uninhabited island. The Mokpo Branch of the Gwangju District Prosecutors’ Office announced on December 23 that the captain, first mate, and helmsman face serious charges including gross negligence resulting in injury. The incident occurred off the coast of Sinan County, Jeollanam-do on November 19, when the ship, carrying 267 passengers, ran aground, resulting in 47 individuals reporting minor injuries and subsequently receiving medical attention. Investigations revealed that the captain failed to properly supervise the ship while navigating through hazardous waters, neglecting to monitor navigation equipment from the captain’s cabin. The first mate, aged 39, and the helmsman, also 39, are accused of being distracted by mobile phones instead of maintaining a proper lookout. This lack of vigilance led to the crew not realizing they were rapidly approaching the island until moments before the collision. Authorities have emphasized a thorough investigation into this incident, aiming to address safety failures that endanger public welfare in maritime operations.

The ferry 'Queen Jenuvia II' has officially docked at Yeosu Shipyard for extensive repairs following severe damage to its bow and hull. The vessel had been awaiting access to the floating dock, which became available on December 7. This crucial maintenance is expected to restore the ferry to full operational capacity. For those interested in visuals of the repairs, check out the latest photos here: [Photo 1](https://www.shipspotting.com/photos/3922422?navList=gallery&category=39&page=1&viewType=normal&sortBy=newest) and [Photo 2](https://www.shipspotting.com/photos/3922421?navList=gallery&category=39&page=1&viewType=normal&sortBy=newest).

The South Korean Coast Guard has intensified its inquiry into the recent grounding of the ferry 'Queen Jenuvia II', which was carrying 246 passengers and 21 crew members at the time of the incident. Authorities are pursuing an arrest warrant for the ferry's captain after previously detaining the first officer and the helmsman on charges of gross negligence that endangered the lives of those on board. As the investigation broadens, the Coast Guard has already conducted interviews with seven crew members who are being treated as witnesses. Preliminary findings revealed that the ship's captain had not been present on the bridge during any of the more than 1,000 approaches to port at Mokpo—a critical violation of his duties regarding the safe navigation of the vessel. Instead of overseeing navigation, the captain was allegedly resting in his cabin. The first officer, who initially cited a mechanical failure of the steering system, later confessed that he was distracted by reading news on his cellphone when the vessel overshot a critical turn and collided with an uninhabited island at a speed of 20 knots. This collision necessitated medical treatment for 78 individuals, including a pregnant woman. Further investigation has revealed that the helmsman was also distracted, claiming he was focused on the gyrocompass. However, it became clear that the ferry had been left on autopilot, despite the requirement for manual navigation in the busy shipping lane near the port. In addition to individual crew assessments, the Coast Guard is reviewing various aspects related to the incident, including regular inspection protocols, operational management regulations, the safety management system, and crew training practices. Also under scrutiny is the Mokpo Regional Vessel Traffic Control Center, which is responsible for monitoring all maritime traffic. Reports indicate that the traffic controller was preoccupied with another large vessel, which had strayed from its designated route, and failed to notice that 'Queen Jenuvia II' was veering off course. Alarm systems at the center had reportedly been disabled, as frequent alerts from smaller fishing boats—which are not obligated to adhere to traffic lanes—had led to alarm fatigue among operators.

On November 24, the Mokpo Coast Guard announced an investigation into a vessel traffic service (VTS) operator concerning the recent grounding of the ferry 'Queen Jenuvia II'. Authorities are looking into whether the operator neglected to identify that the ferry strayed off its scheduled route before it ran aground. Reports indicate that the alarm system, designed to alert operators when a vessel deviates from its path, had been switched off. Consequently, the operator failed to recognize the ferry's course alteration until alerted by the first officer. At the time of the incident, the VTS operator was overseeing around 5,000 vessels but had been concentrating on another large ship that had also deviated from its route. In a parallel investigation, the Coast Guard has requested an arrest warrant for the ferry’s captain on serious charges including gross negligence causing injury and breaches of the Seafarers Act. Investigators found that the captain left the wheelhouse soon after departure to rest in their cabin and did not return as the ferry navigated through a narrow and hazardous channel. Additionally, the first officer of the 'Queen Jenuvia II' and an Indonesian helsman were arrested on Saturday, both facing gross negligence charges. They are accused of being directly responsible for the grounding, having reportedly been distracted within the wheelhouse by their mobile phones. Following the incident, Seaworld Express Ferry, the operator of 'Queen Jenuvia II', has temporarily suspended its Mokpo-Jeju service until December 31 to conduct thorough safety checks. The ferry had docked in Yeosu en route from Mokpo on November 24, highlighting the severity and impact of the incident.

On November 19, the ferry 'Queen Jenovia II' was successfully refloated and subsequently docked at the nearby port of Mokpo. The incident is under scrutiny, with the Coastguard investigating possible negligence by the captain and navigating officer. Authorities have announced the arrest of the helmsman and the first mate on charges of gross negligence that resulted in injuries. Initially, the helmsman attributed the grounding to a malfunction of the steering wheel. However, during questioning, he admitted to being distracted by his mobile phone and failing to change course at the appropriate time. Meanwhile, the first officer revealed he was also preoccupied with watching news on his phone when the ferry was involved in the accident. At the time of the incident, the 'Queen Jenovia II', which was on its way to Mokpo, was set on autopilot. A detailed investigation will examine the crew's mobile devices, the ferry's navigation data, and ship traffic within the vicinity. Investigators will assess whether the ferry was adequately prepared to navigate the narrow shipping lanes, particularly in light of its grounding at a speed of 22 knots. This area, characterized by numerous small islands, requires careful manual navigation. Fortunately, the accident led to only minor injuries for 27 passengers. However, the ferry sustained considerable hull damage, most notably to the bow, which has been crushed. The extent of this damage is still being evaluated. Authorities have indicated that both the helmsman and crew were not under the influence of drugs at the time of the incident. A comprehensive report will follow, along with visual documentation of the event.