Members of the South Korean Coast Guard are developing new equipment to improve maritime rescue operations. (Image courtesy of the Korean Coast Guard)
INCHEON, Dec. 26 (Korea Bizwire) — Members of the South Korean Coast Guard are developing new equipment to improve maritime rescue operations, with several officers recently receiving recognition for their inventions.
The Korea Coast Guard announced on December 25 that Senior Officer Kim Myung-seop from the Seogwipo Coast Guard Station won the gold prize at the “2024 Public Safety Invention Challenge” held at the Seoul YWCA Building on December 11.
Kim developed the “Rescue Sling,” a device that combines a lifting sling belt with a rescue tube, allowing rescue workers to quickly lift people from the water. The equipment earned praise for its portability and adjustable straps that accommodate different rescuer body types, making it particularly effective for swift water rescues.
Senior Officer Lee Deok-gyu from the Ulsan Coast Guard Station received the silver prize for his innovative “Folding Fins.” Recognizing that patrol officers often can’t carry traditional swim fins due to their various duties, Lee designed compact, foldable fins that can be easily stored in a pouch and quickly deployed using a quick-release buckle.
Another silver prize went to Inspector Yoon Hui-ung from the Yeosu Coast Guard Station for developing a high-performance portable fire monitor set. The device can be assembled on-site and connected to fire hydrants or drainage pumps, featuring improved water discharge volume and range. Its portable design allows for single-person operation.
Bronze prizes were awarded to several other innovations, including Senior Officer Park Jae-hyung’s integrated surface-supply diving equipment rack, Senior Officer Ham Gwang-tae’s vessel cable connection socket, and Inspector Cho Young-hoon’s multipurpose vessel support stand.
A Coast Guard official stated that top-ranking ideas will be reviewed for patent applications following consultation with intellectual property experts. “We will work to ensure that our officers’ innovative ideas for public safety can be implemented in real-world applications,” the official said.
The Public Safety Invention Challenge, now in its seventh year, is jointly hosted by the Korea Coast Guard, National Police Agency, National Fire Agency, Korea Customs Service, and the Korean Intellectual Property Office. The competition is open to both government employees from these agencies and the general public.
Kevin Lee (kevinlee@koreabizwire.com)
