"60,000 Won for a Cup of Coffee"... Man Drives Personal Watercraft onto Sandy Beach

Caught by Maritime Police While Heading Out to Sea with a Passenger
Operation Prohibited Within 200 Meters of Shoreline... Fine Imposed

A man in his 40s was caught by the maritime police after riding a personal watercraft onto the sandy area of Gwangalli Beach in Busan to drink coffee and use the restroom.

A jet ski entering Gwangalli Beach in Suyeong-gu, Busan. Photo by Busan Maritime Police Station

On July 8, the Busan Maritime Police Station announced that it plans to impose a fine on Mr. A, a man in his 40s, on suspicion of violating the Water Leisure Safety Act.

According to the maritime police, at around 2:50 p.m. on July 7, a report was received stating that a personal watercraft was parked near the west side of the Gwangalli Beach shoreline and no one was seen nearby.

Upon receiving the report, the maritime police dispatched a coastal rescue vessel and a land patrol team to the scene. While waiting at the site, they observed Mr. A and a passenger riding the personal watercraft away from the beach area. The officers stopped them and conducted an inspection.

The investigation found that Mr. A had operated the personal watercraft past the restricted zone for water leisure activities and up to the front of the sandy area of Gwangalli Beach. He reportedly told the maritime police that he entered the area "to drink coffee at a nearby cafe and use the restroom."

To protect the safety of swimmers and beachgoers, Gwangalli Beach prohibits the operation of powered water leisure equipment, such as personal watercraft, within 200 meters of the coastline throughout the year.

Operating powered water leisure equipment in a restricted zone results in a fine of 600,000 won. The maritime police plan to impose a fine on Mr. A after confirming the specific circumstances of his entry.

Seo Jeongwon, Chief of the Busan Maritime Police Station, stated, "Beaches are spaces for swimmers and beachgoers, so powered leisure equipment is prohibited from entering these areas." He also urged, "Owners of powered leisure equipment must check whether an area is restricted before use."

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