A diver from the Korean navy’s ship rescue team jumped into the sea near where the Sewol ferry sank on April 19.
`I’m also a father. I understand how they feel when they have to go through this tragedy, so I volunteered to work,`Â Kang In-kyoo, a civilian diver said at the scene, referring to his family.
Participating in the rescue campaign of nearly 300 missing people in the southwestern sea of Korea, off the coast of Jindo Island, Mr. Kang and hundreds of other colleagues are betting their lives against lurking dangers.
Chung Woon-chae, who once headed the navy’s ship rescue unit, said bad weather conditions, poor underwater visibility and the depth of the sunken ferry were the biggest barriers for divers.
Video: Korean divers next to the Sewol ferry wreckage:
Korean divers’ battle with death
The accident area is famous for having the second strongest and fastest current among South Korea’s coastal waters.
`Even military ships avoid passing through this area,` said Mr. Shin Hang-sub, a former patrol boat captain.
Along with the above challenge, divers also have to face obstacles on the seabed due to limited visibility.
After 4 days of unsuccessful efforts, at the end of April 19, divers successfully penetrated the ferry wreck.
The Sewol ferry is believed to have sunk to a depth of about 37 m, just 3 m from the danger level.
`Even for veteran divers, diving 37 meters below the sea surface is a difficult task. Their maximum diving time is 90 minutes,` Mr. Chung said.
Graphic of the Sewol ferry rescue.
Three giant airbags (brown) function to keep the ferry from completely sinking.
Yesterday, 563 divers were deployed to search inside and around the ferry.
`Things are not easy. I understand the families are exhausted because the rescue process is slow, but I believe they are doing their best,` Mr. Chung said.
In 2010, while participating in the rescue operation of the 1,200-ton Cheonan ship that sank in the Yellow Sea, a veteran diver who had served in the Korean navy for 30 years died.
`The clear and most important goal of the search is not to leave anyone in the sea,` he said.
