[Column] Spring Sea Fishing: The Thrill of the Catch Is Great, but "Safety" Comes First

Spring Sea Fishing Season Begins
Safety Must Come First

On days like these, when the warm sunlight and refreshing sea breeze lift our spirits, thoughts of the ocean naturally come to mind.

With news that spring flounder are being caught, the waters near the Geoga Bridge are constantly visited by anglers, and as the season of the much-anticipated "bite" returns, the spring sea becomes busier than ever.

However, when enjoying fishing at sea, there is something more important than the thrill of the catch: safety.

During the spring, an average of about 48,000 anglers board multi-use vessels such as fishing boats and ferries, and this number increases by more than 2,000 each year.

Every May, the number of passengers increases by more than 30% compared to the previous month. As the sea becomes more crowded, the risk of maritime accidents also rises.

Over the past three years, there have been a total of 84 fishing boat accidents in the waters under the jurisdiction of the Changwon Coast Guard Station.

Excluding simple engine malfunctions, collision accidents accounted for 22 cases, making them the most common. Most of these occurred when departing from or returning to port between 4 a.m. and 8 a.m.

The causes can be attributed to drowsy navigation resulting from lack of sleep and accumulated fatigue during nighttime fishing.

Furthermore, in spring, as sea surface temperatures rise, sea fog, or haemu, frequently forms, reducing visibility and increasing the risk of accidents.

To prevent maritime accidents during the spring, when risks are heightened, the Changwon Coast Guard has been operating a special safety management period for fishing boats for eight weeks since April 5.

On site, officers meticulously inspect and enforce safety measures, checking whether life jackets are properly worn and secured with leg straps, ensuring that the number of passengers does not exceed capacity, and verifying that no one is operating a vessel under the influence of alcohol.

During inspections, there are sometimes cases where people do not wear life jackets or board over the limit, thinking, "It's just for a moment, it will be fine."

However, that "moment" can lead to a major accident, which is why the Changwon Coast Guard enforces the rules strictly. A small mistake can threaten a life in an instant.

To all captains, anglers, and everyone heading out to sea, I earnestly appeal: ensuring safety at sea is never someone else's responsibility.

Captains should be aware that the risk of accidents is higher in the early morning when drowsiness lingers, so they must get enough rest before departure to prevent drowsy navigation. Captains should also personally check the number of passengers and whether everyone is wearing a life jacket before setting out.

Additionally, anglers must put on a life jacket properly as soon as they board the boat and must not consume alcohol before boarding. The same applies to leisure seekers using recreational equipment, not just those fishing.

A single mistake can cost a life in an instant, but a single act of caution can protect it.

Just by "double-checking and double-preparing," accidents can be reduced, and your life becomes that much safer.

Safety is a fundamental human need, second only to physiological needs, and the safety and life of a person are values more important than anything else.

If you want your fishing trip on the breezy spring sea to remain a pleasant memory, safety must always be the top priority.

To protect yourself and enjoy leisure activities, "safety" must become a habit ingrained within us.

Ok Changmook, Chief of Changwon Coast Guard Station.

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