"I saved 2.7 million won today!"

On the morning of July 1, at Onsan Port in Ulju-gun, Ulsan, which marked the first day of the mandatory life jacket regulation for fishermen.

Captain Yoo, who was fishing near the port, laughed heartily while showing his life jacket to officials from the Ulsan Coast Guard's criminal investigation patrol boat who were out enforcing the new rule.

His remark meant that since all crew members were wearing life jackets, they had avoided the fine imposed for non-compliance.

After confirming that all three crew members on board were wearing life jackets, the Coast Guard reiterated, "You must wear your life jackets 365 days a year whenever you go out to fish."

The amended Fishing Vessel Safety Operation Act, which mandates life jacket use for all fishermen regardless of the number of crew members or weather conditions, went into effect on this day.

Previously, wearing life jackets was only mandatory during weather advisories, such as typhoons or high seas, or when there were two or fewer crew members. Under the revised law, all crew members working, sailing, or moving on the outer deck of a fishing vessel must wear a life jacket at all times.

If caught without one, a fine of 900,000 won is imposed for the first offense.

The fine increases for subsequent offenses, rising to 1.5 million won for a second offense and 3 million won for a third.

To mark the first day of the law's implementation, the Ulsan Coast Guard conducted a crackdown across all waters under its jurisdiction for two hours, from 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. on this day.

A total of 48 personnel and 7 vessels were mobilized, including 5 coastal rescue boats from 5 substations and 2 patrol ships.

Although 11.5 mm of rain fell in Ulsan on this morning, many fishing boats had set sail at dawn and continued their operations into the morning.

Due to the rain, the exposed decks were covered in puddles and appeared slippery at a glance.

While the waves were relatively calm on this day, a precarious scene unfolded when a captain of a small fishing boat pulled a rope on the wet deck, causing the hull to sway momentarily.

In rougher seas, one could easily lose their footing or trip over a rope, leading to an accidental fall into the sea.

The vessels inspected ranged from one-person fishing boats to fishing charter boats with four to five people on board.

When the Coast Guard patrol boat broadcasted through a loudspeaker, "We are checking for life jacket compliance. Please moor to the starboard side," captains stopped their work and turned around to show they were wearing their life jackets.

Each vessel cooperated with the crackdown, with crew members wearing the vests either over their clothes or around their waists.

While acknowledging the discomfort of wearing the vests, the fishermen expressed agreement with the purpose of the policy, stating that "life comes first."

"In the past, I thought that if the vest got caught in a rope while working, it would actually be a safety hazard, and to be honest, it is still a bit uncomfortable to work in," said Captain Yoo. "But life comes first, so shouldn't we wear them?"

He pointed to his inflatable life jacket and added, "They are made so conveniently these days that they are much more comfortable than the old ones that restricted movement."

During the two-hour crackdown across Ulsan that morning, a total of 67 vessels and 110 crew members were inspected, with zero cases of non-compliance reported.

Han Deok-chan, a lieutenant at the Ulsan Coast Guard who participated in the enforcement, explained, "In the past, many fishermen were reluctant to wear them due to discomfort, but it seems that compliance has improved thanks to continuous awareness campaigns and the distribution of more convenient products."

However, there are practical difficulties in the field, as the enforcement requires inspecting boats while they are in the middle of operations.

Officer Song, who was on a coastal rescue boat from the Jinha substation, said, "When it is difficult to tell with the naked eye from a distance whether they are wearing them, we eventually have to pull up alongside each boat to check. Unlike recreational activities, fishermen are in the middle of their work, so it is not easy to ask for their cooperation, and we are cautious because it can disrupt their livelihood."

He added, "As this is a system implemented to protect lives in fishing vessel accidents, we ask for the active understanding and cooperation of fishermen until the system is fully established."

Meanwhile, it has been reported that 88% of the people who died in ship accidents off the coasts of Busan, Ulsan, and Gyeongnam over the past three years were not wearing life jackets.

(Photo: Yonhap News)