Korean seaman lost at Sulu sea

A Korean seaman has disappeared aboard a Korean ocean-going vessel while it was sailing at Sulu on November 26, 2006, authorities said.

Authorities identified the missing Korean seaman as Yoon Suk Lee, 23, a 3rd Engineer of Korean registered ship, C.March.

Sources said that the vessel’s skipper, Capt. Shin Jong Chul, reported through radio message that Yoon Suk cannot be located in the ship on Nov. 26.

It said that the missing Korean ship engineer was last seen about 9 p.m. of November 25 sipping red wine with shipmates, but the following day, when the skipper conducted a headcount, Yoon Suk did not show up.

Capt. Jong Chul said Yoon Suk’s cabin was intact with his personal belongings inside. He said they left Australia on Nov. 17, carrying ore shipment on the way to China passing the Sulu Sea, where Yoon Suk was last seen.

The ship had eight Korean and 16 Filipino crewmembers, according to the source. The family of a Korean seaman have put up a reward for anyone in Zamboanga City, Sulu, Basilan or Tawi-Tawi who can locate their son.

The father, brother and uncle of Yoon Suk arrived in Zamboanga City to launch a search for him after the vessel’s skipper.

They said said Yoon Suk has boarded the vessel only about a month ago. They could not figure out what happened to him, but expressed hope that he is still alive.

They said that if he had fallen into the sea, there is a good chance he survived, because at that time (Nov. 25), there were several fishing boats within the vicinity of the Sulu Sea where C. Match was sailing through.

The relatives have asked the assistance of the Philippine Navy and Coast Guard to help locate Yoon Suk. They also distributed posters with Yoon Suk’s face.