Article 1(Purpose) #
The purpose of this Decree is to prescribe matters mandated by the Vessel Traffic Services Act and matters necessary for the enforcement thereof.
Article 2(Education and training for vessel operators) #
(1) Details of education and training under Article 5(1) of the Vessel Traffic Services Act (hereinafter referred to as the "Act") shall be specified in Appendix 1.
(2) The owner of a vessel may entrust education and training under Article 5(1) of the Act to institutions falling under any of the following subparagraphs: <Amended on Jun. 2, 2025>
1. Vessel traffic service authorities under Article 11(3) of the Act (limited to cases where the relevant vessel traffic service authorities provide education and training to the operators of vessels engaged in construction, operation, and investigation in vessel traffic service areas);
2. Educational institutions determined and publicly notified by the Commissioner General of the Korea Coast Guard among designated educational institutions under subparagraph 4-3 of Article 2 of the Ship Officers Act;
3. The Korea Institute of Maritime and Fisheries Technology established under the Korea Institute of Maritime and Fisheries Technology Act.
(3) Education and training under paragraph (1) may be conducted through methods such as collective training, including lectures and audiovisual education; on-site training; or distance learning using information and communications networks, such as the internet. <Added on Jun. 2, 2025>
Article 3(Master plans for vessel traffic services) #
(1) Where necessary to formulate a master plan for vessel traffic services under Article 8(1) of the Act (hereinafter referred to as "master plan"), the Commissioner General of the Korea Coast Guard may request the submission of materials, the presentation of opinions, or the provision of other necessary cooperation regarding the following matters under paragraph (5) of that Article: <Amended on Jun. 2, 2025>
1. The current status of the volume of maritime traffic, movement routes of vessels, and marine accidents within the jurisdiction;
2. The current status of and a plan for installation and operation of radio equipment, such as radar, very high frequency radio, and the Automatic Identification System, within the jurisdiction;
3. The current status of and plans for the installation and operation of facilities within the jurisdiction at which vessels may berth or moor;
4. The necessity of implementing vessel traffic services within the jurisdiction;
5. Other matters deemed necessary by the Commissioner General of the Korea Coast Guard for formulating the master plan.
(2) Where the Commissioner General of the Korea Coast Guard intends to formulate or modify the master plan, the Commissioner General shall refer the plan to the Korea Coast Guard Commission under Article 5(1) of the Coast Guard Act for deliberation.
Article 4(Implementation plans for vessel traffic services) #
(1) An implementation plan for vessel traffic services under Article 9(1) of the Act (hereinafter referred to as "implementation plan") shall include the following:
1. Matters regarding detailed annual implementation plans of the master plan;
2. Matters examined the necessity to modify and supplement the master plan;
3. Other matters deemed necessary by the Commissioner General of the Korea Coast Guard for implementing the master plan.
(2) Article 3(1) shall apply mutatis mutandis to requests for the submission of data, the presentation of opinions, or the other necessary cooperation. In such cases, "Article 8(1) of the Act" shall be deemed "Article 9(1) of the Act", "master plan" as "implementation plan", and "paragraph (5) of that Article" as "paragraph (2) of that Article", respectively.
(3) Where the Commissioner General of the Korea Coast Guard modifies the master plan, he or she shall reflect the modification to the implementation plan.
Article 5(Publication of master plans and implementation plans) #
The Commissioner General of the Korea Coast Guard shall publish the master plan and the implementation plan by publicly notifying them in the Official Gazette under Article 10(2) of the Act.
Article 6(Criteria for the declaration of vessel traffic service areas) #
The Commissioner General of the Korea Coast Guard shall declare vessel traffic service areas within the following waters under Article 11(2) of the Act, taking into consideration maritime traffic volume, movement routes, etc. within the scope of effective radar detection: <Amended on Jan. 16, 2024>
1. Water zone, etc. of a trade port under subparagraph 2 of Article 2 of the Act on the Arrival and Departure of Ships;
2. Specific sea area for traffic safety under Article 7 of the Sea Traffic Safety Act;
3. Coastal sea under subparagraph 2 of Article 2 of the Coast Management Act.
Article 7(Regulations on vessel traffic services) #
(1) Regulations on vessel traffic services under Article 12(1) of the Act shall include the following matters: <Amended on Jun. 2, 2025>
1. The names of vessel traffic service authorities under Article 11(3) of the Act (hereinafter referred to as "vessel traffic service authorities");
2. Methods of vessel traffic service communications while a vessel subject to vessel traffic service navigating, anchoring, drifting, or remaining stationary within a vessel traffic service area or when a pilot is embarking or disembarking from such a vessel;
3. Matters regarding vessel traffic control during adverse weather conditions or limited visibility;
4. Other matters deemed necessary by the Commissioner General of the Korea Coast Guard for the safety of maritime traffic.
(2) Where the Commissioner General of the Korea Coast Guard enacts or amends the regulations on vessel traffic services under Article 12(1) of the Act, the Commissioner General shall publish thereof in the Official Gazette. <Amended on Jun.2, 2025>
Article 8(Reporting by vessels subject to vessel traffic service) #
"Matters prescribed by Presidential Decree" in Article 14(3) of the Act means the matters under the following classifications: <Amended on Jun. 2, 2025>
1. Navigation report: Where a vessel subject to vessel traffic service enters a vessel traffic service area, intends to pass a position determined and publicly notified by the Commissioner of the Korea Coast Guard within a vessel traffic service area, or a vessel subject to vessel traffic service anchored or moored within a vessel traffic service area intends to navigate, it shall report the following matters:
a. Name of the vessel;
b. Location of the vessel;
c. Destination;
d. Scheduled time of navigation and the time of commencement of navigation (limited to cases where a vessel at anchor or moored intends to navigate);
e. Other matters deemed necessary and publicly notified by the Commissioner General of the Korea Coast Guard.
2. Anchorage report: When a vessel subject to vessel traffic service intends to drop anchor and ceases navigation within the vessel traffic service area, it shall report the following matters:
a. Name of the vessel;
b. Anchoring location;
c. Time of anchoring;
d. Other matters deemed necessary and publicly notified by the Commissioner General of the Korea Coast Guard.
3. Mooring report: Where a vessel subject to vessel traffic service intends to moor at a mooring facility [referring to a mooring facility defined in subparagraph 5a4) of Article 2 of the Harbor Act] in a vessel traffic service area, it shall report the following matters:
a. Name of the vessel;
b. Mooring location;
c. Time of mooring;
d. Other matters deemed necessary and publicly notified by the Commissioner General of the Korea Coast Guard.
(2) Where the master of a vessel subject to vessel traffic service in a vessel traffic service area beyond the territorial sea notifies the vessel traffic service authority of the matters specified in each subparagraph of Article 11-2, the master shall be deemed to have filed a navigation report under paragraph (1)1 when entering a vessel traffic service area under the jurisdiction of the relevant vessel traffic service authority from the vessel traffic service area outside the territorial sea. <Added on Jun. 2, 2025>
Article 9(Specifications of vessel traffic service communications) #
The Commissioner General of the Korea Coast Guard shall publicly notify specifications of vessel traffic service communications for each vessel traffic service authority, including the following matters listed in Article 14(6) of the Act: <Amended on Jun. 2, 2025>
1. Call sign;
2. Facility for vessel traffic service communications;
3. Communication channel for distress, emergency, and safety;
4. Channel for vessel traffic service communications;
5. Operation time.
Article 10(Principles of vessel traffic service communications and audio recordings) #
(1) "Foreign language prescribed by Presidential Decree" in the latter part of Article 15(1) of the Act means English. <Amended on Jun. 2, 2025>
(2) "Vessel subject to vessel traffic service as prescribed by Presidential Decree" in Article 15(2) of the Act means any of the following vessels: <Amended on Jun. 2, 2025>
1. Any of the following vessels engaged in international voyages:
a. A vessel capable of transporting 13 or more passengers;
b. A vessel with a gross tonnage of at least 3,000, other than one falling under item a;
2. A passenger ship with a gross tonnage of at least 300, which is used for the marine passenger transportation services under Article 4 of the Marine Transportation Act and engaged in domestic voyages.
(3) The vessel traffic service authority and the master of the vessel under each subparagraph of paragraph (2) (hereinafter referred to as "vessel traffic service authority and the master of the vessel") shall make audio recordings of vessel traffic service communications under Article 14(4) of the Act and retain them with the date and time of vessel traffic service communication. <Amended on Jun. 2, 2025>
(4) Where the vessel traffic service authority and the master of the vessel intends to make audio recordings of vessel traffic service communications under paragraph (3), they shall use electronic means; provided, where it is impossible to record vessel traffic service communication by using electronic means due to temporary malfunction of recording facilities for vessel traffic service communications or other reasons, handwritten notes may be used as an alternative. <Amended on Jun. 2, 2025>
(5) The retention period for information under paragraphs (3) and (4) shall be 60 days; provided, where necessary for the investigation and adjudication of a marine accident, such period may be extended in accordance with the criteria determined and publicly notified by the Commissioner General of the Korea Coast Guard. <Amended on Jun. 2, 2025>
(5) Except as provided in paragraphs (2) through (5), matters necessary for the audio recording, retention, etc. of vessel traffic service communications by vessel traffic service authorities shall be determined by the Commissioner General of the Korea Coast Guard. <Amended on Jun. 2, 2025>
[Title Amended on Jun. 2, 2025]
Article 11(Training and evaluation of vessel traffic service operators) #
(1) A public official intends to be a vessel traffic service operator shall complete the basic training for vessel traffic service operators, the contents of which are theoretical and practical training (hereinafter referred to as "basic training"), and pass an evaluation under Article 16(2) of the Act.
(2) A vessel traffic service operator shall complete revalidation training for vessel traffic service operators, the contents of which are theoretical and practical training (hereinafter referred to as "revalidation training"), and pass an evaluation within 5 years and 6 months from the date of completion of the most recent training among the following trainings in accordance with Article 16(3) of the Act; provided, where it is impossible to receive revalidation training due to any unavoidable circumstances, such as a disaster or calamity, the Commissioner General of the Korea Coast Guard may extend the period required for receiving the revalidation training for up to 1 year:
1. Basic training;
2. Revalidation training;
3. Other training determined by the Commissioner General of the Korea Coast Guard.
(3) The evaluation under paragraphs (1) and (2) shall cover the degree of understanding of theoretical and practical content as well as the level of participation in the training; and to pass the evaluation, the average of the scores for the theoretical and practical content and the participation score shall be at least 60 points; provided, any person who receives a score of less than 40 points in any evaluation item shall be failed, and such person may be subject to re-evaluation.
(4) Details necessary for the training and evaluation under paragraphs (1) through (3) shall be determined by the Commissioner General of the Korea Coast Guard.
Article 11-2(Request for vessel traffic services in vessel traffic service area beyond territorial sea) #
The master of a vessel subject to vessel traffic service in a vessel traffic service area beyond the territorial sea who intends to request vessel traffic services under Article 18-2(2) of the Act shall notify the vessel traffic service authority having jurisdiction over the vessel traffic service area beyond the territorial sea of the following matters:
1. Name of the vessel;
2. Location of the vessel;
3. Destination;
4. Other matters deemed necessary and publicly notified by the Commissioner General of the Korea Coast Guard.
[This Article Added on Jun. 25, 2025]
Article 12(Promotion of technical development) #
(1) The Commissioner General of the Korea Coast Guard shall annually formulate and implement a plan for the promotion of technical development for vessel traffic service equipment (hereinafter referred to as "technical development promotion plan") to systematically promote technical development for vessel traffic service equipment under Article 23 of the Act; provided, if the matters listed in each item of paragraph (2) are included in the implementation plan, the implementation plan may substitute for the technical development promotion plan. <Added on Dec. 14, 2021; Jun. 2, 2025>
(2) The technical development promotion plan shall include the following: <Added on Dec. 14, 2021>
1. Objectives of and direction for the technical development of vessel traffic service equipment;
2. Matters regarding the advancement of technical development of vessel traffic service equipment and the transfer and utilization of the outcomes of technical development;
3. Cooperation and joint research among the industry, academia, and research institutes in the field of technical development of vessel traffic service equipment;
4. Detailed operation plans for technical development projects of vessel traffic service equipment;
5. Other matters necessary to facilitate the technical development of vessel traffic service equipment.
(3) The Commissioner General of the Korea Coast Guard may establish a cooperation system to engage private-sector experts and gather their opinions when necessary for the formulation and implementation of the technical development promotion plan. <Added on Dec. 14, 2021>
(4) The Commissioner General of the Korea Coast Guard may, within the budget, fully or partially subsidize expenses incurred in the following matters for the purpose of technical development of vessel traffic service equipment under Article 23 of the Act: <Amended on Dec. 14, 2021>
1. Analysis of domestic and foreign trends in technical development related to vessel traffic service equipment;
2. Research and technical development related to the improvement of the performance of vessel traffic service equipment;
3. Surveys, research, and technical development for the localization of vessel traffic service equipment;
4. Other matters deemed necessary by the Commissioner General of the Korea Coast Guard for the technical development of vessel traffic service equipment.
Article 13(Korea Vessel Traffic Service Association) #
(1) "Project prescribed by Presidential Decree" in Article 24(3)7 of the Act means any of the following:
1. Collection and analysis of data and information on vessel traffic services;
2. Public relations of and the issuance of publications on vessel traffic services.
(2) Where the Commissioner General of the Korea Coast Guard provides financial support to the Korea Vessel Traffic Service Association under Article 24(1) of the Act in accordance with paragraph (4) of that Article, the Commissioner General may request the submission of data to verify the operating status of relevant projects.
Article 14(Delegation and entrustment of authority) #
(1) The Commissioner General of the Korea Coast Guard shall delegate the following authorities to the commissioners of regional coast guards under Article 25(1) of the Act: <Amended on Dec. 14, 2021>
1. To implementing vessel traffic services under Article 11(1) of the Act;
1-2. To install and manage vessel traffic service equipment under Article 21(1) and (2) of the Act;
2. To impose and collect administrative fines under Article 27(1) and (2) of the Act.
(2) In accordance with Article 25(2) of the Act, the Commissioner General of the Korea Coast Guard shall entrust the tasks of training and evaluation under Article 16(2) and (3) of the Act to specialized training organizations under Article 17(1) of the Act.
Article 15(Imposition of administrative fines) #
The criteria for imposing administrative fines under Article 27(1) and (2) of the Act shall be as specified in Appendix 2.