College Student Saved After VHF Radio SOS While Drifting in Rubber Boat

A university student in his 20s who was drifting after losing his oars while riding a rubber boat in a stream in Yangsan, South Gyeongsang Province, was rescued by the Coast Guard after sending a distress signal via a VHF radio when his mobile phone ran out of battery.

According to the Namhae Regional Coast Guard Agency, the student, identified as A, was fishing in a rubber water-play boat on the Yangsan Stream on the night of August 29 when he dropped his oars into the water and began to drift.

Unable to escape because he could not swim, and unable to call 119 as his mobile phone battery had died, A sent an emergency distress signal using a VHF radio.

The signal transmitted by A was picked up by the Busan Port Vessel Traffic Service (VTS) Center under the Namhae Regional Coast Guard Agency. The traffic controller communicated with A to determine his location and shared the information with the Busan Maritime Police Station and fire authorities.

A was safely rescued by the authorities dispatched to the scene.

While it is extremely rare for ordinary citizens to carry VHF radios, the Coast Guard explained that some hobbyists and club members do use them.

The Busan Port VTS Center is tasked with supporting safe navigation and entry and departure of vessels through wireless communications.

The Namhae Regional Coast Guard Agency stated, "The Busan Port VTS actively responded to the rescue by capturing a faint emergency distress signal originating from land," adding, "We plan to share this as a best practice nationwide."

(Photo provided by Namhae Regional Coast Guard Agency, Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.