Utilizing 'Yeono Seoho'... Pohang City Strengthens Spring Fishing Vessel Safety Operation Guidance

Multipurpose Administrative Vessel Yeono Seo-o-ho Supports Safe Fishing Operations

Concurrent Inspections to Prevent Illegal Catching and Distribution During Prohibited Period

Pohang City is intensifying safety guidance activities for fishermen using the multipurpose administrative vessel Yeono Seo-oho from March to May, coinciding with the spring fishing season when fishing vessel operations increase.

Mayor Lee Gang-deok of Pohang is seen aboard the multipurpose administrative vessel Yeono Seo-o in November last year, urging fishermen to operate safely.

Spring is a season when warm air meets relatively cold sea surfaces, frequently causing sea fog. This leads to limited visibility during vessel navigation, increasing the likelihood of collision accidents. It is also a time when special attention must be paid to safe fishing operations due to issues such as captains navigating while drowsy and non-compliance with navigation rules.

Accordingly, Pohang City plans to deploy the multipurpose administrative vessel Yeono Seo-oho to conduct focused guidance activities during fishing operations, including ▲intensive education for vessels not wearing life jackets ▲encouraging continuous listening to fishing safety information, thereby supporting fishermen’s safe fishing activities during the spring season.

Additionally, with the squid fishing ban period (April to May) approaching, Pohang City will not only conduct maritime guidance and inspections using the multipurpose administrative vessel to prevent illegal capture and distribution of juvenile squid, commonly called ‘chongal ojingeo’ (bullet squid), but will also carry out onshore inspections.

Jung Cheol-young, Director of the Fisheries Policy Division, stated, “Pohang City will do its utmost to protect the lives and property of fishermen to ensure safe fishing operations. We also urge fishermen to make safety checks a routine part of their pre-fishing preparations to help achieve zero fishing vessel accidents in Pohang City.”

Completed in November last year, the Pohang City multipurpose administrative vessel Yeono Seo-oho, with a capacity of 130 tons, serves not only as a fishing guidance vessel but also as a sea conference room hosting marine-related business briefings and various meetings. It is also utilized for rescue operations during maritime accidents, fulfilling diverse roles.