Jeju Coast Guard Changes Name of Civilian Marine Rescue Team to 'Marine Disaster Rescue Team'

Jeju Coast Guard Station (Chief So Byung-yong) announced on the 29th that the "Act on the Establishment and Operation of the Marine Disaster Rescue Team" was promulgated on January 2nd and is scheduled to be enforced from January 3rd next year, changing the name of the existing "Private Marine Rescue Team" to "Marine Disaster Rescue Team."

Marine Disaster Rescue Corps Act Promulgation Notice Poster. [Photo by Jeju Coast Guard]

The "Marine Disaster Rescue Team Act" was promoted to address the shortcomings of the previous "Water Rescue Act," which only defined private marine rescue team members and provided support grounds, by raising the need for active support and systematic management.

The private marine rescue team has been autonomously operating, composed of fishermen and water leisure stakeholders familiar with the local waters.

In the past five years, the rescue rate by private rescue forces in marine accidents has reached about 42%, highlighting the importance of initial response. Considering the increasing marine leisure population, the promulgation of the Marine Disaster Rescue Team Act will enable more systematic management and support.

The main contents of the Marine Disaster Rescue Team Act include ▲ designation and operation of Marine Disaster Rescue Team Day (December 23) ▲ appointment, dismissal, and duties of Marine Disaster Rescue Team members ▲ management, support, education, and training of Marine Disaster Rescue Team members ▲ provisions on awards and disaster compensation.

Accordingly, Jeju Coast Guard plans to promote the contents through various methods such as posting banners in the jurisdiction and holding outreach meetings to ensure the early establishment of the Marine Disaster Rescue Team Act system.

Meanwhile, in 2023, Jeju's private marine rescue team made significant contributions to marine safety by rescuing 43 lives with 21 vessels, achieving the prestigious Sea Hero Award and producing outstanding private marine rescue team members, gradually expanding their scope of activities.

A Jeju Coast Guard official said, "With the promulgation of the Marine Disaster Rescue Team Act, we will actively support and collaborate to create a system that enables more active private participation in marine accidents and ensures the safety of the sea through the rescue work of the Marine Disaster Rescue Team."

Jeju = Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Hwang Jeong-pil baekok@asiae.co.kr

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