Busan Regional Office of Oceans and Fisheries Launches Inspection of Privately Owned Aids to Navigation, the “Traffic Lights of the Sea”

[Financial News] The Busan Regional Office of Oceans and Fisheries announced on the 9th that it will conduct its “2026 Second-Half Guidance and Inspection of Privately Owned Aids to Navigation” for approximately two months, from the 14th through November 30, to help ensure maritime traffic safety.
A total of 200 privately owned aids to navigation are currently installed and operating within the jurisdiction of the Busan Regional Office of Oceans and Fisheries. This inspection will cover 198 of them, excluding the two recently installed facilities, as well as nine entrusted management companies.
During the second-half inspection, on-site inspections will first be conducted on the seven facilities where issues were identified in the first half of the year. For the remaining 191 facilities, on-site and document-based inspections will be carried out in parallel.
The inspection will primarily examine whether the privately owned aids to navigation are properly painted and colored in accordance with their designated functions, as well as their maintenance condition. Inspectors will also check compliance with permits required under relevant laws and whether entrusted management companies, including vessels and managers, continue to meet registration standards.
Minor issues will be corrected immediately on site, while serious violations will be followed up thoroughly after notices requiring correction and improvement are issued. The office also plans to actively gather difficulties and suggestions from frontline personnel during on-site inspections.
Kim Kang-on, head of the Navigation Information Facilities Division at the Busan Regional Office of Oceans and Fisheries, said, “Privately owned aids to navigation are important facilities that safely guide vessels along their routes, and we will work to establish a voluntary and thorough management system among their owners.” Kim added, “We will continue to actively listen to and communicate with people in the field to create a safe and trusted maritime transportation environment.”



[email protected] Byun Ok-hwan Reporter