Korea Ocean Business Corporation and Hope Bridge Korea Disaster Relief Association Provide 620 Life Jackets to Fishers in Yeongam, Muan and Sinan

[Financial News] A total of 620 automatically inflatable life jackets will be distributed to elderly fishers and small-scale fishing households in Yeongam, Muan and Sinan counties in Jeonnam-Gwangju Integrated Special City. The initiative aims to ease the burden of purchasing safety equipment as the requirement to wear life jackets expands, and to help fishers prepare for accidents while working at sea.
The Korea Ocean Business Corporation said on the 13th that it had donated life jackets worth 60 million won to the Hope Bridge Korea Disaster Relief Association. The donation ceremony, held at the corporation’s headquarters in Haeundae District, Busan, was attended by officials from both organizations, including President Ahn Byeong-gil and the association’s Secretary-General Shin Hoon.
The Hope Bridge Korea Disaster Relief Association plans to distribute the life jackets in phases across the three regions. The jackets inflate automatically if the wearer falls into the water. The association said they are lighter and easier to move in than conventional jackets, making them easier to keep on while working at sea.
Under the amended Fishing Vessels Safety and Fishing Operations Act, which took effect on July 1, anyone on the open deck of a fishing vessel must wear a life jacket or life vest, regardless of weather advisories or the number of people aboard. Captains must ensure that those on deck wear life jackets or other such equipment. Violations are punishable by an administrative fine of up to 3 million won.
According to figures from the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries (MOF), fishing vessel accidents during the autumn seasons from 2020 to 2025 totaled 3,815, the most of any season. The MOF designated September through November as a high-risk period for fishing vessel accidents, as more boats head out to fish and changing weather can make waves more likely to rise. Fishing vessels affiliated with Suhyup in sectors that have seen major casualties over the past three years are subject to intensified joint safety inspections.
President Ahn Byeong-gil said, "The safety of fishers who make their living from the sea is the most fundamental and highest-priority value of the maritime industry. I hope the life jackets delivered this time will serve as a steadfast support, protecting fishers’ precious lives amid rough waves."
Secretary-General Shin Hoon said, "Just as wearing a seat belt when getting into a car, putting on a life jacket when boarding a boat should become an everyday norm. We will do our utmost to distribute the supplies and, as a relief organization that leads safety culture, continue our efforts to prevent disasters and safety accidents."

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