Multiple Cases of Boats Losing Direction, Check Weather Before Departure and Report Accidents Promptly
In the West Sea region, severe temperature differences and dense fog continue, and recently, accidents involving leisure boats losing their direction due to low visibility and increasing fog have been occurring one after another.
The West Sea Regional Coast Guard Agency (Chief Kim Inchang) announced on the 23rd that strong vigilance regarding maritime safety is required due to recent leisure boat accidents caused by agricultural fog.
In an accident that occurred around 6 p.m. on the 22nd near Heuksando, a 1-ton motorboat returning after leisure activities lost its direction due to dense fog and was involved in an accident.
In response, the West Sea Coast Guard immediately deployed patrol vessels conducting security operations in the nearby waters to rescue the crew and safely guide the motorboat. The day before, a maritime safety accident due to fog also occurred near Baengnyeongdo.
The West Sea Coast Guard warned that similar accidents frequently occur every year during the agricultural fog season, especially since leisure boats and small vessels lack adequate equipment for navigation at night and in fog, posing a high risk of serious accidents.
Therefore, the West Sea Coast Guard urged people to always check the maritime weather before engaging in marine leisure activities and to avoid operating with only one boat.
Kang Seungnam, head of the comprehensive situation room, said, “It is easy to lose direction in dense fog where there are no terrain structures,” and requested, “Thoroughly inspect safety before departure and report accidents promptly.”
Chief Kim Inchang emphasized, “To prevent leisure boat accidents in the West Sea, awareness and measures regarding maritime safety are increasingly necessary,” and added, “We must not forget that maritime activities in fog require a more cautious approach.”
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