01Legal changes and applicable subjects
The revised "Act on Safety Operations of Fishing Vessels and Promotion of Safety and Health of Crew Members," amended on July 1, 2026, mandates that all persons on board fishing vessels, including fishing boats, must wear life jackets.
Previously, the rule applied only when the number of persons on board was two or fewer or during weather advisories; it has now been completely overhauled.
The law clarifies the rule with the phrase "all persons on exposed decks," meaning it applies equally to every angler regardless of vessel size. Even a small fishing boat must have life jackets worn when on board.
At the same time, the enforcement decree and enforcement rules' annexes have detailed the fine structure. Depending on the number of violations and circumstances, fines can be KRW 900,000 for the first offense, about KRW 1,500,000 for the second, and up to KRW 3,000,000 for the third. The exact amounts must be verified in the latest notice.
02Impact of life jacket wear on survival rates
According to KOMSA (Korea Maritime Transportation Safety Authority) statistics, 81% of marine accident deaths or disappearances occurred while the victim was not wearing a life jacket. For coastal leisure‑activity fatalities, 91.9% were attributed to non‑wear.
Wearing a life jacket more than doubles the survival rate. The jacket greatly extends the time it stays afloat, buying crucial time until rescue arrives. In rapid currents or wind speeds over 15 m/s, the buoyancy of the jacket becomes a key survival factor.
These statistics compare the "worn" and "not worn" groups under identical conditions (water temperature 15‑20 °C, depth 5‑30 m), and real‑world rescue cases show the same trend.
03On‑site application checklist
- Life jacket is on but loose If the jacket is not secured to the body, the risk of detachment increases when falling into water.
- Improper size reduces buoyancy: choose a size that matches weight and height.
- Delaying wear due to unnecessary gear or confusion: always include a "life jacket wear" check before the fishing trip.
- Inspect the rubber band and belt before putting on the jacket.
- Verify that the buckle functions properly.
- Test that buoyancy is retained even when the jacket gets wet.
04Recommended wear by season, water temperature, and depth
When water temperature is 10 °C or lower or depth exceeds 30 m, hypothermia risk and pressure differences compress the air inside the jacket. In such cases, select a jacket equipped with an inflator for buoyancy reinforcement.
In seas with wind speeds of 12 m/s or higher and wave heights of 1.5 m or more, the jacket stays afloat much longer, so attaching an "additional buoyancy pad" is recommended even beyond the mandatory wear situation.
Conversely, in calm coastal waters with water temperature 25 °C or higher and wave height below 0.5 m, basic buoyancy is sufficient, but habitually wearing a jacket prepares you for sudden weather changes.