Life Jackets Mandatory on Fishing Vessels; Violators Face Fines Up to 3 Million Won

Mandatory Life Jacket Policy Takes Effect Starting July 1

Starting July 1, everyone boarding a fishing vessel will be required to wear a life jacket. Violators will face a fine of up to 3 million won.

The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries announced on June 30 that, beginning July 1, it will enforce the mandatory wearing of life jackets for all individuals boarding fishing vessels.

The Asia Business Daily DB

This mandate is based on the revision of the “Act on Safe Operations of Fishing Vessels and the Promotion of Safety and Health of Crew Members.” Regardless of weather advisories or the number of people on board, everyone on a fishing vessel must wear a life jacket or a life-saving suit when on an exposed deck. Failure to comply will result in a fine of up to 3 million won.

An official from the Ministry explained, “Every year, tragic fishing vessel accidents such as collisions, capsizings, and groundings claim the lives of around 100 people. This measure was established to offer stronger protection for fishers and to dramatically reduce casualties caused by fishing vessel accidents.”

To raise awareness about the mandatory use of life jackets, the Ministry has been actively promoting the policy by holding briefing sessions and campaigns for fishers in cooperation with the Korea Coast Guard, local governments, and other related agencies. In addition, the Ministry has distributed inflatable life jackets—which offer superior comfort and greater convenience during work—to all crew members in order to increase the wearing rate among fishers.

Minister Hwang Jongwoo of the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries stated, “With the distribution of comfortable, inflatable life jackets and the full implementation of the mandatory life jacket policy, the institutional foundation for fisher safety has been greatly strengthened. Since accidents can happen without warning, I urge everyone to recognize wearing a life jacket as the most basic safety rule and to practice it without exception.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.