Yeosu Coast Guard Launches Surf Rescue Team for Coastal Safety

by Heo Seonsik

Published 17 Jul.2023 14:45(KST)

Updated 15 Aug.2025 12:15(KST)

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Surfing Business Stakeholders, Private Maritime Rescue Team Members, etc.

Expectations for Strengthening Private Maritime Rescue Capabilities

The Yeosu Coast Guard Station in Jeollanam-do (Chief Officer Go Min-gwan) announced that it will operate a surf rescue team to prevent coastal safety accidents such as those at beaches and to effectively respond to emergencies.

According to Yeosu Coast Guard, on the 14th, a surf rescue team inauguration ceremony was held at Namyeol Beach in Goheung County with the participation of 30 people including members of the Goheung Fire Station and private marine rescue teams, coinciding with the opening of the beach.

[Photo by Yeosu Coast Guard]

At the inauguration ceremony, surf rescue team members were awarded certificates of appointment and a surf lifesaving demonstration was conducted. In addition, an in-depth public-private cooperation meeting was held regarding the substantial operation of the surf rescue team in the future.

The surf rescue team is a civilian support force of the Coast Guard composed of private marine rescue members who use surfboards to conduct rescue activities for initial response to emergencies occurring along the coast.

With the summer peak season approaching and marine leisure activities expected to gradually increase, the Yeosu Coast Guard launched the surf rescue team through collaboration with surfing businesses that have good beach accessibility and a thorough understanding of the characteristics of coastal waters, to effectively respond to accidents along beaches and rocky shores.

A Yeosu Coast Guard official said, "Effective rescue activities by the surf rescue team are expected in rocky shore areas and shallow waters where Coast Guard vessels have difficulty accessing," adding, "We will continue to do our best to protect the lives of the public by enhancing public-private cooperation to secure the golden time."

Meanwhile, Namyeol Beach in Goheung County, where the inauguration ceremony was held, is the only beach in Honam where surfing is possible, and it opened on the 15th.