All fishing vessel crew must wear life jackets on deck or face fines up to 3 million won

Everyone aboard a fishing vessel must wear a life jacket while on deck, or face a fine of up to 3 million won ($1,940).

The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries announced Tuesday that it will begin enforcing a mandatory life jacket requirement for all fishing vessel crew starting July 1, under an amendment to the Act on Safe Fishing Operations and the Safety and Health Promotion of Fishing Vessel Crew.

Under the revised law, all persons aboard a fishing vessel must wear a life jacket or immersion suit on any exposed deck, regardless of whether a weather warning is in effect or how many people are on board. Violations carry a fine of up to 3 million won.

The rule is intended to reduce the roughly 100 deaths and injuries that occur each year from fishing vessel accidents, including collisions, capsizings and groundings.

Ahead of the rule taking effect, the ministry worked with the Korea Coast Guard and local governments to hold briefing sessions and safety campaigns for fishers. Promotional efforts have also been carried out at fish auction markets run by fisheries cooperatives nationwide.

The ministry has also distributed inflatable life jackets to fishing crew — designed to be more comfortable and less cumbersome during work — to help boost compliance.

"Accidents can happen at any time without warning," Oceans and Fisheries Minister Hwang Jong-woo said. "Please think of wearing a life jacket as the most basic safety rule and make sure to follow it."