Mokpo Coast Guard Focuses on Preventing Maritime Accidents as Heavy Fog Incidents Surge from March to July

Minimizing Damage Through Customized Safety Management

Mokpo Coast Guard is managing the safety of a fishing vessel that lost its direction in the sea fog. Photo by Mokpo Coast Guard

The Mokpo Coast Guard announced on March 4 that it will implement customized safety management measures to prevent maritime accidents and protect lives during the period from March to July, when heavy sea fog frequently occurs.

According to an analysis by the Mokpo Coast Guard of maritime accidents within its jurisdiction over the past five years (2021–2025), 926 out of a total of 2,439 vessel accidents—or about 38%—occurred during periods of heavy fog.

By vessel type, fishing boats accounted for the highest proportion at 46%, followed by barges (15%), cargo ships (13%), and leisure craft (9%). As for the causes of the accidents, poor maintenance was the most common at 46%, followed by operational negligence (30%) and inadequate management (11%), indicating that human factors were a significant contributor to these incidents.

In response, the Mokpo Coast Guard will first subdivide its jurisdiction into 11 risk zones with low visibility and actively provide real-time weather and hazard information to vessels navigating these areas, utilizing patrol stations, guard ships, and the maritime traffic control center. Additionally, it plans to conduct focused monitoring of high-risk waters to detect danger signs early and guide safe navigation.

On-site safety management and enforcement will also be strengthened. Guide boats, which begin full operations in the spring, will undergo equipment inspections before departure, and patrols of major piers and routes will be intensified. Special emphasis will be placed on cracking down on five major safety violations: unlicensed operations, overloading, overcrowding, drunk navigation, and the sale of alcoholic beverages.

For fishing charter boats, dedicated monitoring officers will be assigned to each patrol station to enhance oversight, and there will be intensive inspections of violations such as non-operational location transmitters and disguised fishing operations.

A Mokpo Coast Guard official stated, "During this period, maritime accidents often begin with minor negligence, such as poor maintenance and careless operation. We urge all vessel personnel to thoroughly inspect their equipment before departure and strictly comply with safety regulations to actively help prevent accidents."

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