The latest on South Korean efforts to raise a ferry that sank nearly three years ago, killing more than 300 people (all times local):
SEOUL, South Korea — The latest on South Korean efforts to raise a ferry that sank nearly three years ago, killing more than 300 people (all times local):
10:45
South Korean efforts to raise a sunken 6,800-ton ferry may have hit a significant obstacle.
An official from the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, Lee Cheoljo, told reporters Thursday night that salvage crews have suspended operations to lift the Sewol after finding that a vehicle ramp is unlocked and dangling from the ship’s left side.
Lee said it is not possible to load the ferry onto a vessel that is to carry it to port with the ramp hanging down.
He said divers are trying to cut off the ramp with welding equipment, and that it is vital to finish the job by Friday morning so the crew will have enough time to load the ferry onto the vessel by midnight Friday.
The waters where the ferry sank are notorious for dangerous currents. The sea is relatively calm now, but the currents are forecast to strengthen on Saturday.
Workers had initially planned to finish raising the ferry by Thursday evening.
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5:50 p.m.
South Korean officials say efforts to raise a 6,800-ton ferry from waters off the country’s southwestern coast are going well after an earlier delay.
The ferry Sewol sank in April 2014, killing more than 300 people, including many students on a high school trip.
The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries said Thursday that the top of the ferry was 8.5 meters (27 feet) above the water’s surface at 5 p.m.
Workers are planning to raise the Sewol until its upper side is about 13 meters (42 feet) above the surface. Salvage crews will then start loading the ferry onto a semi-submersible, heavy-lift vessel that will carry it to port.
Workers had initially planned to finish raising the Sewol in the morning, but were forced to stop temporarily when it began rubbing against pulleys and other equipment on the two barges hoisting it with cables. They resumed lifting the ferry after spending hours to better balance it.
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3 p.m.
South Korean officials say salvage crews have resumed raising a 6,800-ton ferry Sewol off the country’s southwestern coast.
