The Busan Coast Guard has caught yachts operating with more passengers than legally permitted near Gwangalli Beach, raising safety concerns ahead of the summer tourism peak.
Authorities announced on August 3 that two vessels are under investigation for violating the Water Leisure Safety Act.
A yacht designed to carry 12 people, was found operating with 15 passengers at 5 p.m. on August 2. Just two hours later, it was again caught carrying 18 people, six more than its limit.
Another yacht with a capacity of 45, was stopped near 10 p.m. carrying 59 passengers.
Overloading watercraft beyond their approved capacity is punishable by fines of up to 1 million won under current maritime safety regulations. The Coast Guard warns that excessive passenger numbers significantly increase the risk of accidents.
Officials say some yacht companies knowingly violate the law, prioritizing profit over safety, as current penalties are not considered strong enough to deter repeat offenses.
The Coast Guard will intensify inspections throughout the summer to prevent unsafe maritime operations.
