Seogwipo Coast Guard Conducts Safety Inspections of Fishing Vessels to Prepare for Winter Marine Accidents

Seogwipo Coast Guard is conducting a joint free safety inspection with related agencies on fishing vessels in the area. Photo by Seogwipo Coast Guard

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters (Jeju) Reporter Hwang Jeongpil] Seogwipo Coast Guard Station (Chief Do Gi-beom) announced on the 8th that it is conducting a joint free safety inspection with related organizations targeting fishing vessels in the Seogwipo area to prevent winter marine accidents such as fishing vessel fires.

Among the 756 marine accidents involving fishing vessels that occurred in the Seogwipo area over the past three years, 191 vessels (25%) occurred during the winter months from November to February. The causes of accidents were mainly engine damage (66 vessels, 25%) and entanglement with floating debris (44 vessels, 17%), mostly due to poor maintenance and careless operation.

Accordingly, the Seogwipo Coast Guard, together with the Korea Maritime Transportation Safety Authority and the Fisheries Cooperative, formed a joint inspection team for fishing vessels and inspected 20 fishing vessels in the Seogwipo area from November 3. They checked safety and rescue equipment such as life rafts and fire extinguishing equipment, inspected generators and engines, and examined electrical facilities overall to prevent ship fire accidents. In addition, they introduced recent accident cases such as fishing vessel fires to shipowners and captains and conducted safety navigation education to prevent accidents during bad weather.

A Seogwipo Coast Guard official stated, “Most winter accidents occur due to careless operation or poor maintenance, so we urge fishermen to thoroughly inspect their vessels before departure and strictly follow safety rules during navigation.” He added, “We will continue to conduct fishing vessel safety inspections to prevent marine accidents until December.”