Launch of Maritime Disaster Rescue Team: "Strengthening Sea Safety Network through Public-Private Cooperation"

The Marine Disaster Rescue Team, composed of civilian personnel such as fishermen and marine experts, held a launch ceremony at the Korea Coast Guard Headquarters on the 27th and officially began its activities.

The Korea Coast Guard held the Marine Disaster Rescue Team launch ceremony under the slogan "Our seas become safer with the Marine Disaster Rescue Team," attended by Commissioner Kim Yong-jin, President Kim Seong-tae of the Korea Marine Rescue Association, and Chairman Lee Ki-woo of the Coast Guard Policy Advisory Committee.

At the inauguration ceremony of the Marine Disaster Rescue Team held on the 27th, Cho Byung-jong, head of the Yeosu Marine Disaster Rescue Team, received the flag from Kim Yong-jin, Commissioner of the Korea Coast Guard, and waved the flag to commemorate the occasion. 2025.3.27 Photo by Korea Coast Guard

The Marine Disaster Rescue Team, consisting of about 11,000 members across 20 Coast Guard stations nationwide, will support search, rescue, and salvage operations during distress incidents and engage in activities to prevent such accidents.

The Marine Disaster Rescue Team was launched by expanding and reorganizing the civilian marine rescue team originally established in Tongyeong in 1997. Previously, the legal basis for civilian rescue teams was weak, but the Marine Disaster Rescue Team is now a state-recognized civilian organization receiving systematic management and support under the "Marine Disaster Rescue Team Act" enacted in January.

The Marine Disaster Rescue Team Act specifies the establishment of the organization and the duties of its members, and includes provisions related to payment of expenses, awards, and disaster compensation.

Commissioner Kim said, "The Marine Disaster Rescue Team is a key player in public-private cooperation and will protect the lives and safety of the people together with the Coast Guard," adding, "We will create safer seas through prompt and systematic rescue operations."

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