[Asia Economy (Suwon) = Reporter Lee Young-gyu] Gyeonggi Province will conduct a joint inspection with related agencies from the 1st to the 30th of next month to prevent fishing vessel safety accidents, as autumn growth season fishing activities have recently increased.
The inspection targets 1,005 fishing vessels within the province, covering areas such as Gungpyeong Port in Hwaseong City, Tando Port in Ansan City, Daemyeong Port in Gimpo City, Oido Port in Siheung City, and Gwongwan Port in Pyeongtaek City.
The joint inspection will involve five cities and counties including Hwaseong City, the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, the Coast Guard, the Korea Maritime Transportation Safety Authority, and the National Federation of Fisheries Cooperatives.
The main inspection items include ▲whether life jackets, lifebuoys, and fire extinguishers are equipped ▲whether communication equipment for receiving weather warnings is secured and functioning properly ▲checking the condition of the engine room distribution panel, wiring, and ventilation covers for batteries ▲replacement of safety helmets and damaged ropes, and whether there are risk warning signs on fishing equipment ▲inspection of fire-prone equipment such as stoves, electric heaters, and gas ranges.
The province will focus particularly on engine safety, which accounts for most fishing vessel safety accidents. According to data from the Fisheries Information and Communication Bureau of the National Federation of Fisheries Cooperatives last year, fishing vessel accidents caused by engine failure accounted for 71% of the total.
Based on the safety inspection results, minor issues will be immediately corrected on site, and serious defects will be repaired before departure to ensure safe operation.
In addition to the fishing vessel accident prevention inspection, the province will also promote compliance with COVID-19 prevention measures such as providing hand sanitizers and maintaining ventilation in cabins.
Kim Seong-gon, Director of the Marine Fisheries Division of the province, said, "With the increase in fishing activities during the autumn and winter seasons, there have been casualties caused by collisions and capsizing accidents. We hope that this joint inspection will raise awareness of fishing vessel safety, foster a voluntary safety management atmosphere, and prevent fishing vessel accidents in advance."
Meanwhile, the province conducted safety inspections on 200 coastal fishing vessels twice last year during the spring and autumn/winter seasons.
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