▲ The Coast Guard rescues Mr. A who is stranded on the mud rocks around Jeju's Sham Island
A man in his 40s who was stranded on a tidal rock while enjoying underwater leisure off the coast of Seogwipo, Jeju, saved his life due to a joke he made to an acquaintance before enjoying leisure.
According to the Seogwipo Marine Police Station in Jeju yesterday (25th), at around 2:30 p.m. that day, the Coast Guard received a report that "an acquaintance who went freediving did not return."
The Coast Guard, who were dispatched after receiving the report, rescued Mr. A, in his 3s, who was on the mud rock at the northern end of Shak Island at about 5:40 p.m.
According to the Coast Guard investigation, Mr. A enjoyed freediving on an underwater scooter near Sham Island and Moon Island at about 12:40 noon.
However, it was confirmed that the underwater scooter battery suddenly died, and Mr. A was forced to swim back to his original location due to exhaustion and stranded on the rocks.
Before going diving, Mr. A jokingly told his acquaintance Mr. B, "If you don't come back by 2 p.m., please report it to the Coast Guard," and it was confirmed that Mr. B actually reported to the Coast Guard when Mr. A did not return after 2 p.m.
A Coast Guard official said, "What was said lightly before diving actually occurred and led to a rescue situation," and urged people to "always thoroughly prepare equipment when engaging in water leisure activities at sea."
(Photo = Courtesy of Seogwipo Maritime Police Station, Yonhap News)