Submission of Activity Report Required Under Water Leisure Safety Act
Most Passenger Ships at Jeju Port 2nd Pier Canceled Due to Rough Seas
A man in his 20s who was surfing without reporting in waters under a high wave advisory was caught and fined. On the 21st, the Seogwipo Coast Guard announced that they had apprehended a man in his 20s, identified as A, on charges of surfing at a beach under a high wave advisory (violation of the Water Leisure Safety Act). A is accused of surfing without reporting to the coast guard on the afternoon of the 19th at Jungmun Beach in Seogwipo City, where a high wave advisory was in effect.
On the 21st, the Seogwipo Coast Guard announced that they apprehended a man in his 20s, identified as A, for enjoying surfing at a beach under a storm warning, violating the Water Leisure Safety Act. [Photo by Seogwipo Coast Guard]
Under the Water Leisure Safety Act, when operating water leisure equipment that uses only waves or wind in an area where a high wave advisory is issued, one must submit a weather advisory activity report in advance to the jurisdictional coast guard or local government. Violations can result in fines of up to 1 million KRW. A coast guard official stated, "When engaging in water leisure activities in areas under a high wave advisory, it is mandatory to report to the jurisdictional coast guard station, and if weather conditions are unfavorable, please refrain from water leisure activities."
Surfing organizations and surfer groups have stated, "Regarding the domestic Water Leisure Safety Act, surfing boards must be reported to the coast guard after a weather advisory is issued before entering the water."
Jeju Heavy Snow, Strong Wind, and High Wave Advisories... Road and Mountain Access Restrictions, Some Marine Routes Disrupted
On the 22nd, as heavy snow and strong winds were expected in Jeju, multiple weather advisories were issued. As of 7 a.m., the Jeju Regional Meteorological Office had issued a heavy snow advisory for the mountainous areas of Jeju. A strong wind advisory was in effect for all areas except the southern region. A high wave warning, along with high wave advisories, was issued for the western offshore and southern distant seas of Jeju, as well as most other marine areas.
During the early morning, about 10 cm of snow fell on Hallasan Mountain. All seven hiking trails on Hallasan were closed. As of 6 a.m., the snow accumulation at major mountain points was 31.9 cm at Samgakbong, 14.8 cm at Sajebi, 10.1 cm at Eorimok, and 1 cm at the southern face. On the 1100 Road (Eoseungsaeng Samgeori to Old Tamna Intersection), where icy sections have formed, both large and small vehicles are prohibited from entering. Small vehicles attempting to enter Myeongnim-ro (Hanwha Resort to Myeongdoam Samgeori) must use chains.
The Meteorological Office forecasted that heavy snow would continue into the night in mid-mountain and coastal areas. Marine routes are being disrupted in waters under the high wave advisory. According to Jeju Port Passenger Terminal, the 'Queen Star 2' ferry, scheduled to depart from Jeju Port Pier 2 at 9:30 a.m. to Sangchuja Island and then to Wusuyeong, was canceled due to bad weather.
The operation of the 'Santa Monica' ferry to Jindo and Sangchuja Island, scheduled for 11 a.m. and 4:20 p.m., was also canceled. Ferries departing from Pier 7 are all operating normally.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
