Gunsan Coast Guard: "67% of Spring Water Leisure Safety Accidents Due to Poor Maintenance"

Gunsan Maritime Police Station (Chief Park Kyung-chae) announced on the 1st that it will strengthen safety management for water leisure activities for one month in response to the rapid increase in water leisure activities during the spring outing season.

The maritime police will focus on cracking down on the three major unsafe practices along with publicity and guidance until the 6th of next month to ensure safe water leisure activities and prevent marine accidents.

The targets for intensive crackdown to establish maritime leisure safety order are ▲unlicensed operation ▲drunk navigation ▲not wearing safety equipment.

On March 23, at Gunsan Bieung Port Marine Youth Corps, the Coast Guard, Korea Maritime Transportation Safety Authority, and leisure boat repair companies participated in a free inspection of water leisure equipment.
[Photo by Gunsan Coast Guard]

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The maritime police stated, "Spring is a period when low visibility frequently occurs, and there is a high risk of many safety accidents because equipment that was not used during winter is being used again after a long time."

According to recent data from Gunsan Maritime Police, there were a total of 33 water leisure safety accidents during the spring months of March to May over the past three years. The main accident was maritime drifting accidents, accounting for 26 cases or 79% of the total.

Analysis of the main causes of accidents showed that poor maintenance accounted for 22 cases, or 67%. Other causes included 3 cases (8%) of collisions between equipment and 2 cases (6%) of fuel depletion.

When maritime drifting accidents occur during the spring agricultural fog season, there is a high risk of secondary accidents such as collisions with other vessels and grounding. Thorough equipment inspection and strict adherence to personal safety rules before activities are essential.

The maritime police plan to respond in various ways to prevent accidents and foster a safety culture, including ▲prevention of drifting accidents and safety management of vulnerable waters ▲water leisure safety quiz events ▲encouraging voluntary reporting of nearby water leisure activities using QR codes ▲strengthening patrols in major activity sites and accident-prone areas ▲operating a period of intensive crackdown on safety hazard offenders.

A representative of Gunsan Maritime Police urged, "Please check equipment and fuel before departure and strictly follow safety rules during navigation."

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