Jeju Coast Guard Expands Korea Rescue Association Office... Utilized as Training and Education Venue

Jeju Coast Guard Station (Chief So Byung-yong) announced on the 21st that it has expanded the office of the Korea Rescue Association located at the dedicated pier for patrol vessels to be used as a training facility for Jeju civilian marine rescue team members, aiming to enhance their various activities and rescue capabilities.

Civil Maritime Rescue Team Training Center. [Photo by Jeju Coast Guard]

The previous location used as a training site for the civilian marine rescue team at the Korea Rescue Association Jeju branch was very cramped, limiting the members' activities. However, with this expansion, the facility can be used not only for training but also as a meeting place for the team members, greatly boosting the morale of Jeju civilian marine rescue personnel.

Earlier, an underwater training facility was installed at the Jeju Coast Guard’s dedicated pier, and in December last year, the first-ever joint underwater rescue training was conducted nationwide between the civilian marine rescue team and the Jeju Coast Guard rescue team, simulating a capsized vessel scenario. Regular joint training sessions are planned going forward.

The civilian marine rescue team members who participated in this training commented, “Although we frequently conduct diving training, the training at the facility simulating a capsized vessel closely resembled an actual rescue situation.”

The training center, promoted as part of measures to revitalize civilian marine rescue forces following the enactment of the Marine Disaster Rescue Act, will serve not only as a venue for various theoretical education and practical training related to life-saving but also as a meeting space between the Jeju Coast Guard Search and Rescue Division and the civilian marine rescue team.

A Jeju Coast Guard official stated, “We hope this expansion of the training facility will aid the education and training of civilian marine rescue team members,” and added, “We plan to develop various measures to further actively support the duties of rescue team members in the future.”

Jeju = Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Hwang Jeong-pil baekok@asiae.co.kr