Deadly boat accident cover-up reveals corruption in China’s fishing industry
Investigations following capsizing unearth bribery and other illegal acts by officials, boat owners, crew and port operators in Liaoning
The accident took place on November 10. A boat registered in Yingkou, Liaoning province, capsized while crew members were fishing, causing 11 to fall into the water. Two were rescued and nine were reported missing, Liaoning Daily reported on Wednesday.
Official investigations found corruption in the approval process and arrangements for the fishing trip.
The boat owner, surnamed Zheng, used other people’s qualifications to get past safety checks. During the trip, he arranged for two people who lacked valid crew certificates to board the boat. This meant the fishing vessel failed to meet requirements for offshore operations, resulting in serious safety risks, the report said. Zheng was detained by local police on November 16.
The Communist Party secretary of a district fisheries and marine bureau not only delayed rescue but also had a staff member convince the boat owner not to call the police in an attempt to cover up the truth. The report said the official and staff member, surnamed Xu and Chi, respectively, were awaiting trial.