[Opinion] Drop the Anchor of Safety in the Thick Fog

원본보기 아이콘

According to old tales, sailors navigating the sea used to refer to thick fog as the "veil of the sea" and feared it. In reality, fog greatly increases the risk of accidents by obscuring vision and disorienting one's sense of direction. Even today, despite the widespread use of advanced navigation equipment, the likelihood of maritime accidents rises sharply during periods of dense fog, so the sea during fog season remains a "veil of the sea."

The fog season refers to the period in spring when warm air meets the relatively cold sea surface, resulting in frequent occurrences of dense sea fog. This period generally spans from March to July.

According to an analysis of statistics from the Mokpo Coast Guard over the past five years (2020?2024) regarding the number of low-visibility advisories, there were 140 instances of low-visibility conditions during the fog season (March to July), accounting for approximately 76% of the total 184 advisories issued. This indicates that most low-visibility conditions are concentrated during this season.

Over the past five years, there have been more than 70 vessel accidents during low-visibility advisories, with 52 of these accidents?amounting to 74% of the total?occurring during the fog season. The causes of these accidents included loss of direction (24.2%), entanglement with floating objects (24.2%), and engine failure (21.4%). These statistics show that the risk of accidents due to fog increases dramatically, highlighting the urgent need for thorough preparation and preventive safety measures.

The first step in preventing maritime accidents during the fog season is to check marine weather information frequently. Vessel operators must always check the weather information provided by the Korea Meteorological Administration and the Mokpo Coast Guard before departure. If fog is expected, it is most important to refrain from departing whenever possible to prevent accidents in advance. However, if it is unavoidable to operate a vessel, operators should conduct pre-operation checks and real-time use of navigation aids such as the Automatic Identification System (AIS), radar, and electronic charts to detect nearby vessels and obstacles early and ensure safe navigation.

Secondly, it is essential to always be familiar with how to respond in the event of an accident. Last year, the Mokpo Coast Guard conducted a "Directly Press the SOS Rescue Button" campaign and training for 7,725 fishing vessels equipped with distress signal transmitters within its jurisdiction. This was because there have been frequent cases where, in the confusion of an actual accident, operators failed to press the rescue button installed on various communication devices, resulting in delayed dispatch of rescue teams. Vessel operators should always remember that "prompt reporting is the key to the golden time that saves precious lives."

Finally, it is important to emphasize the significance of raising awareness of maritime safety. There is a saying, "The sea is generous, but it is merciless to those who are careless." Although the sea offers boundless abundance, we must remember that anyone can become a victim of an accident if safety rules are neglected.

Therefore, maintaining a thorough attitude of preparation and vigilance at all times is of utmost importance. The Coast Guard plans to continue strengthening maritime safety education and public awareness campaigns to further spread this mindset.

Having served as a Coast Guard officer for over 20 years, I often reflect on how small humans are in the face of the vastness of nature as I gaze out at the wide sea. However, I believe that with advances in technology and a mindset of "forewarned is forearmed," our seas can become even safer if we are always prepared and alert.

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