Mokpo Coast Guard Special Crackdown on Maritime Drunk Driving During Summer Peak Season

From the 1st to the 31st of next month for proactive accident prevention and spreading a safety culture

Mokpo Coast Guard is conducting drunk sailing crackdowns targeting ship operators. Photo by Mokpo Coast Guard

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Kim Chunsu] Mokpo Maritime Police announced on the 21st that they will conduct a special crackdown on drunk driving at sea from the 1st to the 31st of next month, following a promotion and guidance period from the 20th to the 30th, to prevent marine accidents and spread a safety culture during the peak summer season.

According to Mokpo Maritime Police, a total of 43 cases of drunk driving at sea were caught in the jurisdiction over the past three years, with 21 cases, accounting for 49% of the total, being concentrated during the peak summer season.

Accordingly, the Maritime Police plan to conduct joint crackdowns targeting all vessels including passenger ships, ferries, fishing boats, and leisure equipment by linking maritime and land units such as patrol vessels, police substations, control rooms, and the Vessel Traffic Service (VTS) center.

Under the Maritime Safety Act, the standard for drunk driving enforcement is a blood alcohol concentration of 0.03% or higher. For vessels over 5 tons caught drunk driving, penalties can include imprisonment from a minimum of 2 years up to 5 years or fines ranging from 20 million to 30 million KRW, depending on the blood alcohol concentration.

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

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.