Korean government authorities have admitted that private divers are more capable in rescue
operations...
A growing chorus of criticism is blaming the government for not cooperating enough with
private divers...
at the very beginning of the search.
Our Hwang Ji-hye has the details.
The divers who successfully pumped air into the sunken Sewol-ho ferry... and entered the
second deck to search for survivors were neither Navy nor Coast Guard divers -- they were divers
working for private companies.
Currently, hundreds of private divers are helping out in the rescue operations.
And the Coast Guard admits that these divers are better.
"We have to say that divers from private companies are more able to search the ship under water
and also in rescue operations.
The other advantage they have is the quality of their equipment.
Private divers are using remote-controlled submersibles and other high-tech gear that
allows them to communicate and breathe at the same time.
This equipment, experts say, is far more developed than used by the Navy.
Families awaiting news on their missing loved ones are demanding to know why private divers
have not actively been taking part in each and every stage of the search and rescue operation.
They point to what they say is a lack of cooperation between the Navy and the Coast Guard, and
the private divers from the very beginning of the search.
Hwang Ji-hye, Arirang News.