West Sea Coast Guard Launches Intensive Crackdown on Fishing Vessels Not Wearing Life Jackets

Inspection of Non-Compliance:
Focus on Not Wearing Life Jackets on Decks or Removing Them After Departure Throughout August

The West Sea Regional Coast Guard Headquarters announced on July 30 that it will conduct a month-long intensive crackdown on fishing vessels whose crew do not wear life jackets from August 1 to 31, in an effort to reduce casualties from fishing boat accidents and to help establish a culture among fishermen of wearing life jackets.

This enforcement action is part of measures to ensure that the strengthened safety regulations, following the revision of the Fishing Vessel Safety Operation Act, are properly adopted in the field. In July, the West Sea Coast Guard conducted on-site guidance for 323 fishermen who were found on open decks without life jackets.

A view of the West Sea Regional Coast Guard Office building.

From August, the focus will shift from guidance to enforcement. Key inspection areas will include: ▲removing life jackets after departure, ▲only storing life jackets on board without wearing them, ▲not wearing life jackets during nighttime operations, and ▲only some crew members wearing life jackets.

The West Sea Coast Guard will also provide training on the correct way to wear life jackets, and will carry out both promotional activities and safety education to make wearing life jackets a routine practice among fishermen.

Baek Hakseon, head of the West Sea Regional Coast Guard Headquarters, stated, "Wearing a life jacket is the most basic yet effective means of protecting lives," adding, "We will continue to promote and enforce these measures so that a culture of fishermen following safety regulations on their own takes root."

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