Oil Removal Operation—yuil NO.1 and Osung NO.3

Abstract

This information paper describes the operation principle and method of the oil removal operation carried out by the Korean government in 1998 for two wrecks that had sunk off the south coast of Korea in 1995 and 1997, causing major oil spill incidents. Not only did the oil spill damage the marine environment around Korea and Japan, but it also caused huge damage to the fish farms around the area. It was estimated that the cargo and fuel oil remaining on board was over 1,000 tons. The Korean government therefore decided to remove the remaining oil to eliminate further risk of oil spill and instructed the Korea Marine Pollution Response Corp. (KMPRC) to carry out the operation for the two wrecks. KMPRC successfully removed the oil in 137 days. The operation was extremely difficult since the oil had to be removed from 70 m underwater without affecting the marine environment, which had many fish farms nearby. As the operation used the best underwater equipment and newest technology, this information paper is submitted for reference to those countries that will conduct similar operation in the future.