Life Jacket Violations Top Fishing Boat Safety Infractions in South Korea

South Korea's maritime safety record shows a concerning trend, with the failure to wear life jackets emerging as the most common violation among fishing vessels. Over the last three years, from 2023 to 2025, authorities recorded 80 instances of passengers and crew neglecting to wear life jackets while at sea.

This statistic places non-compliance with life jacket regulations significantly ahead of other infractions. Violations such as fishing in prohibited areas accounted for 67 cases, operating unregistered fishing boats numbered 58, and exceeding passenger capacity was recorded in 49 instances. The data, released by the Maritime Police Agency, highlights a persistent disregard for essential safety equipment.

Incidents include passengers being caught without life jackets near Yeosu in November last year and a captain operating a vessel without one near Wando in May. In one case, passengers even reported a captain and officer for not wearing life jackets while fishing. These situations underscore the critical importance of life jackets, which can provide a crucial survival window in emergencies like sudden waves or collisions.

Despite regulations mandating constant life jacket wear for all on board, including operators and passengers, the practice remains inconsistent. Violators face penalties, with fines up to 3 million won for operators and up to 1 million won for passengers. Acting Maritime Police Chief Jang In-sik emphasized that while accidents happen in seconds, life jackets can determine survival, urging everyone to adopt their use as a life-saving habit rather than a mere formality to avoid detection.

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Accidents happen in seconds, but whether life jackets are worn can determine survival. Please wear them as a habit to protect your own life, not just for formal compliance.