Safety Personnel Must Be Onboard Night Fishing Boats from Now On

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[Sejong=Asia Economy Reporter Joo Sang-don] From now on, fishing vessels with three or more people on board operating at night in waters a certain distance away must have safety personnel on board.

The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries announced on the 20th that the partial amendment of the Enforcement Decree and Enforcement Rules of the "Fishing Management and Promotion Act," which includes these provisions, will take effect from the 21st.

Accordingly, first, the captain of the fishing vessel must have a certain period of seafaring experience. To become a captain of a fishing vessel, one must obtain a small vessel operator or marine engineer license and have at least two years of seafaring experience or a record of 120 days or more of ship arrivals and departures (issued by the Coast Guard). However, considering the entry barriers for newcomers, until February 20 of next year, seafaring experience will be recognized if one has at least one year of seafaring experience or a record of 60 days or more of ship arrivals and departures.

Having safety personnel on board is also mandatory. This applies when a fishing vessel with 13 or more people on board operates at night (from 8 p.m. to 4 a.m. the next day) in waters more than 3.7 km away from the coastline. Safety personnel must acquire lifeguard qualifications or complete basic safety, passenger ship education, and specialized training. They perform duties such as ensuring the safety of fishing passengers, protecting fishery resources, and preventing environmental pollution.

Fishing vessels are also required to undergo safety inspections annually, with the timing, standards, issuance, and validity period of inspection certificates established, and related forms organized. Accordingly, those currently operating fishing vessel businesses must undergo safety inspections by December 31 of this year.

To ensure rapid rescue in case of nighttime fishing vessel accidents, it is mandatory to equip lights that can be attached to life jackets, and specific fines have been detailed for eight violations, including dumping waste or garbage during fishing, selling fishery animals caught by fishing, failure to conduct fishing vessel safety inspections, and failure to have safety personnel on board, based on the number and type of violations.

Additionally, new administrative disposition standards have been established for safety accidents caused by intentional or gross negligence or failure to fulfill duty of care. Furthermore, administrative measures have been strengthened to close businesses if fishing vessel operators or crew members operate fishing vessels under the influence of alcohol or drugs two or more times or violate operating areas.

Choi Yong-seok, Director of Fisheries Resources Policy at the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, said, "With this amendment to the subordinate laws of the Fishing Management and Promotion Act, the safety management standards of fishing vessels are expected to reach a level comparable to passenger ships," adding, "The government will also strengthen publicity and guidance to ensure the prompt establishment of the revised provisions in the field."