Jeju Coast Guard Cheong Conducts Special Crackdown on Marine Safety Violators... 46 Arrested

Published 08 Jun.2023 15:36(KST)

The Jeju Regional Coast Guard Headquarters (Chief Han Sang-chul) announced on the 8th that it conducted a special crackdown on marine safety violations for 14 weeks starting from February 20, apprehending 46 individuals involved in 44 cases of marine safety violations, including violations of the Ship Safety Act.

While last year's special crackdown focused on human rights violations against maritime workers, this year's operation expanded its scope to concentrate on safety violations with a high likelihood of causing marine accidents, such as illegal ship modifications and expansions.

Jeju Coast Guard is conducting a special crackdown on marine safety violations. <br>[Photo by Jeju Coast Guard]

Jeju Coast Guard is conducting a special crackdown on marine safety violations.
[Photo by Jeju Coast Guard]

As a result of the crackdown, failure to undergo ship safety inspections was the most frequently detected violation with 22 cases. Other violations included securing guideline breaches (5 cases), navigation area violations (3 cases), and unlicensed operation (3 cases). Compared to the first half of last year's special crackdown (22 cases), this represents an approximately 50% increase, demonstrating a more intensified enforcement effort.

In particular, during the special crackdown period, unauthorized installation and operation of equipment such as generators that could affect ship safety and lead to major accidents like fires, as well as alterations and modifications to the ship's structure, were mainly detected as failures to undergo ship safety inspections.

Additionally, cases of operating ships without valid maritime licenses were uncovered, resulting in non-custodial charges for violations of the Ship Personnel Act.

A representative of the Jeju Coast Guard Headquarters stated, “We will continue to do our best to protect the lives and safety of the public and prevent marine accidents by strictly enforcing laws against marine safety violations that directly affect public life.”