Korea's maritime safety agency conducts first remote inspection of imported yacht

The Korea Maritime Transportation Safety Authority, known as KOMSA, has conducted its first remote inspection of a yacht imported from overseas, completing the check through video and photographs alone — without sending an inspector abroad — significantly cutting the time and cost involved.

KOMSA said the inspection followed a March revision to its guidelines on remote vessel inspection methods, which expanded the scope of remote checks to cover imported yachts and marine generators.

Remote inspection allows inspectors to verify a vessel's structure and safety equipment using photographs, video footage and video calls, without traveling to the site. The method enables inspections in remote locations or special environments, reducing the logistical burden on vessel owners.

KOMSA's Busan branch carried out a remote temporary navigation inspection June 11 on a 9.8-ton sailing yacht set to sail from Sendai Port in Japan to Tongyeong Port. It was the agency's first remote inspection of an imported yacht.

The initiative traces back to a public suggestion raised at a presidential town hall meeting in Gangwon Province in September. Under the previous system, owners of used yachts purchased abroad had to arrange an on-site temporary navigation inspection in the country of purchase, with travel costs borne by the vessel owner.

"Had we conducted the inspection through an on-site visit to Japan as before, travel alone would have taken more than three days," a KOMSA official said. "This remote inspection was completed in about 40 minutes, making the process much faster and eliminating the cost of overseas travel."

Remote inspections of marine generators are also expanding. KOMSA's Pohang branch has carried out 69 remote inspections of marine generators since April.

The remote inspection system has also been applied in specialized environments. KOMSA's Incheon branch conducted a remote inspection in April on a barge bound for the Sejong Antarctic Research Station, coordinating with the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries given the unique conditions involved.

KOMSA introduced remote inspections in 2024 for fishing vessels under 2 gross tons, propeller shaft systems and reduction gears, then extended the scope last year to commercial water leisure craft under 6 meters in length. This year, the agency added imported yachts and marine generators and motors to the program.

KOMSA President An Yeong-cheol said the results show that a system improvement born from a public suggestion has translated into real reductions in time and cost. "We will continue to expand digital inspection services that people can feel the difference from," he said.