Thanks to all for identifying this one. I have quite a few more photos of unidentified ships from a recent trip around Japan. When I upload them I will need all of the help I can get!

Thanks again Vlad.
The right man in the right place, at the right time ;-)
Regards, Rick

I have answered Rick by message, but I will also post the info here: the name is not a problem, it's "Bang Je 18", (방제18호), the last two letters "호" (ho) usually added to a ship's name to signify "vessel". It's a pollution control vessel, operating out of Busan, in Coast Guard (Maritime Police) service. 50×11×4 m, 450GT is all I can find about the vessel.

* Seagull would be "갈매기" (Galmaegi), and 방제 literally means "oil out".

Rgds

Vlad

Kyle, I have asked Lappino in S.Korea for assistance on this one.
Regards, Rick

Hmm, thanks for that info Kyle. I have been struggling with it's identification! I have found references to South Korea Maritime Police having salvage and rescue vessels over 1,000 tons, and think this is one of them ...possibly. Have we got any South (or North ;-)Korean members, I wonder?
Thanks again pal,
Rick

Rick,
To me, Seagull seems like a bad translation, as the hangul above the word "POLICE" also translates to "Marine Police". Seems a little more likely.
Kind Regards,
Kyle

Hi Bob, I am not 100% sure but: seems to be ecorded under the previous ownership of the South Korea Maritime Police as "18 Seagull PBI" but I can find no builder or year for this vessel, although almost certainly Hyundai built in South Korea.
Google translate tells me that 'Seagull' has several spellings in Korean Han script & includes one which is shown on the side of the accommodation, above the word 'POLICE'.
Still requires confirmation, I will ask a Korean friend.
Regards, Rick