[Column] A Promise for the Safety of Maritime Families Before a Typhoon Arrives

"Whether the leaves fall or not / Whether the branches break or not / It doesn't matter / Because the purpose / Is to inflict wounds / To leave scars."

This is an excerpt from "The True Nature of a Typhoon" by poet Oh Boyoung (1951~). The poem, centered on the theme of typhoons, is praised for its concise and powerful depiction of the destructive nature of a typhoon. By describing the impact of a typhoon on nature and the resulting changes, it emphasizes that the ultimate purpose of a typhoon is 'destruction.'

In this way, a typhoon alone can shake not only our daily lives but the entirety of human existence.

On September 12, 2003, Typhoon Maemi swept through the old Masan area of Changwon, Gyeongnam. With peak wind speeds of 60 meters per second, a 2.5-meter storm surge, and waves as high as 7 meters, it claimed 18 lives and caused property damage amounting to 1.9 trillion won.

In 2020, when Super Typhoon Maysak struck Jinhae Bay, a 1,500-ton container ship was dragged by strong winds and ended up stranded on a reef. Fortunately, all 14 crew members were rescued by the Changwon Coast Guard, but Maysak left behind property damage worth 1 billion won at the fish farms in Donghae-myeon, Goseong-gun.

Though the typhoons have passed, citizens have spent more than 20 years recalling the pain of that day, and fishermen cannot let go of their worries every summer.

Every year, when typhoon warnings are issued, Jinhae Bay, one of Korea's main typhoon shelters, sees an average of over 200 large ships and naval vessels, more than 3,000 fishing boats, and over 1,000 yachts and motorboats seeking refuge from the storm. The impact of typhoons is truly immense.

This year as well, Typhoon Gaemi (No. 3) and Typhoon Prapiroon (No. 4) have formed. Once again, we must prepare for safety.

In response, our Changwon Coast Guard held a Regional Maritime Search and Rescue Technology Committee meeting on the 17th of last month with 16 organizations and groups, including the Changwon Meteorological Office, Masan Regional Office of Oceans and Fisheries, and the Navy Jinhae Base Command.

The Changwon Meteorological Office shares real-time weather information through the "Buleugyeong Sea Weather Alert Band," and the Masan Regional Office of Oceans and Fisheries has decided to convene a ship evacuation council in advance to disperse the influx of ships seeking shelter in Jinhae Bay.

The Navy Jinhae Base Command will provide a 1,300-horsepower tugboat in case of accidents, and Changwon Special City will allocate 30 million won for mobilizing tugboats to prevent anchor-dragging incidents.

To overcome the dangers of typhoons and ensure everyone's safety, not only the Coast Guard and related agencies but also individuals must remember and act on typhoon preparedness measures.

First, before a typhoon arrives, pay close attention to typhoon information from the Korea Meteorological Administration and check the typhoon's path and intensity in advance. When a typhoon advisory or warning is issued, those working on ships should inspect their vessels once more and maintain emergency contact networks.

Additionally, fishing boats or ships at work should cease operations and evacuate quickly. Large ships at anchor should let out extra anchor lines or set additional anchors to prevent accidents caused by anchor dragging, while small fishing boats and leisure boats, which are at greater risk of flooding, should be moved ashore and secured.

Besides ship operators, residents in low-lying, flood-prone, or coastal areas should evacuate in advance and avoid using vehicles during movement in emergencies.

Just as "birds plug the holes in their nests with mulberry roots before a storm" (Sangtojumyu), it is more important than ever for all maritime workers and citizens to pay special attention and prepare when a typhoon is forecasted.

Our Changwon Coast Guard promises to always prioritize public safety and provide full support against the typhoons that will strike again this year. We also hope everyone remembers that the best way to protect precious lives and property is through advance preparation, and that all will join in actions for safety.

/ Kim Youngcheol, Chief, Changwon Coast Guard, Gyeongnam