Mokpo Coast Guard Civilian Marine Rescue Team Plays Key Role as Unsung Helper

111 Rescue Supports for Maritime Accidents Occurred Within the Jurisdiction

The Mokpo Coast Guard Civilian Marine Rescue Team is receiving CPR training.
[Photo by Mokpo Coast Guard Station]

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Seo Young-seo] The Mokpo Maritime Police Station (Chief Lee Jong-wook) Civilian Maritime Rescue Team is actively supporting the maritime police's rescue operations and accident prevention activities related to maritime accidents in the jurisdiction, playing a crucial role as a hidden helper in maritime safety.

According to Mokpo Maritime Police on the 12th, the currently affiliated Civilian Maritime Rescue Team consists of a total of 760 members, composed of various volunteers such as fishermen familiar with the local sea, water leisure business operators, drone operators, and ordinary citizens.

In particular, they contribute to securing maritime safety through active rescue support activities and joint training with the maritime police for the safety of the sea.

Last year, among the 507 maritime accidents that occurred in the jurisdiction, 177 civilian maritime rescue team members and 152 civilian maritime rescue vessels were mobilized to carry out 111 rescue operations, playing a vital role as helpers of the maritime police on the front lines.

In fact, in September last year, when four tourists were stranded due to the rising tide in front of Sodang Island at Woldu Dock, Muan-gun, Jeollanam-do, the civilian maritime rescue team member (Captain Kim Jong-joo, Woo Seok-ho) who received the rescue cooperation request safely rescued all the stranded individuals.

Additionally, 541 civilian maritime rescue team members participated in basic disaster preparedness training hosted by Mokpo Maritime Police last year, as well as professional education by the Korea Maritime Rescue Association, meetings, and non-face-to-face video training, strengthening their rescue response capabilities.

Meanwhile, to strengthen the rescue cooperation system with the Civilian Maritime Rescue Team, Mokpo Maritime Police operated a pilot Civilian Maritime Rescue Team Situation Management Center from May to December last year, establishing a civilian-centered active rescue cooperation system and creating a platform for public-private communication and exchange cooperation.

A Mokpo Maritime Police official said, “There are limits to responding to accidents in the jurisdictional waters with only patrol forces, so the necessity of the Civilian Maritime Rescue Team near accident sites is increasing,” and added, “We will do our best to enhance maritime accident response capabilities through close cooperation with the Civilian Maritime Rescue Team to prevent maritime accidents and ensure prompt response.”

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