Mokpo Coast Guard Implements Special Crackdown on Drunk Sailing During Peak Summer Season

Prevention of Maritime Accidents and Establishment of Safety Culture... Conducted from July 10 to 25

Mokpo Coast Guard is conducting a crackdown on drunk sailing targeting ship captains. (Photo by Mokpo Coast Guard Station)

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Seo Young-seo] Mokpo Maritime Police Station (Chief Im Jae-su) will conduct a special crackdown on maritime drunk driving for 16 days from the 10th to the 25th of next month, following a promotion and guidance period from the 28th of this month to the 9th of next month, to prevent marine accidents and establish a safety culture during the summer peak season.

According to Mokpo Maritime Police, a total of 44 cases of drunk driving were detected in the jurisdiction over the past three years, with 19 cases, accounting for 43% of the total, concentrated during the summer peak season.

Accordingly, the maritime police plan to conduct joint crackdowns targeting all vessels, including fishing boats, multi-use vessels (passenger ships, pilot boats, fishing charter boats), and leisure equipment, by linking sea and land forces such as patrol vessels, police substations, control rooms, and Vessel Traffic Service (VTS).

Under the Maritime Safety Act, the standard for drunk driving enforcement is a blood alcohol concentration of 0.03% or higher. Since May 19 of last year, penalties for drunk driving have been strengthened, and vessels over 5 tons caught drunk driving may face imprisonment from a minimum of 2 years to a maximum of 5 years or fines ranging from 20 million to 30 million KRW, depending on blood alcohol concentration.

Additionally, with the revised Ship Crew Act coming into effect on July 14, administrative measures will be strengthened, including cancellation of maritime officer licenses for refusal to undergo alcohol testing.

A Mokpo Maritime Police official emphasized, “Drunk driving can easily lead to major accidents and cause significant damage to others' lives and property,” adding, “Drunk driving is an act that must never be committed.”

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