수중레저활동의 안전관리 개선을 위한 법제도 개선에 관한 연구

A Study on the Improvement of Legal and Institutional Frameworks to Strengthen Safety Management of Underwater Leisure Activities

해양레저활동은 수상형, 수중형, 일반형(체험활동)으로 구분되는데 우리나라는 일반시민이 접근하기 용이한 수상레저활동을 중심으로 활성화되기 시작하여 수상레저안전법 및 연안사고예방법이 먼저 제정되었고, 활동의 안전관리 및 사고 발생시 신속한 대응을 위해 해양경찰청이 담당하고 있다. 반면, 뒤늦게 제정된 수중레저법은 세월호 사건으로 해양경찰청이 해체됨에 따라 해양수산부가 담당하게 된 결과, 해양공간에서 이뤄지는 레저활동임에도 불구하고 각기 다른 법과 소관부처에서 담당함으로써 수범자들의 혼란과 안전관리 체계의 효율성이 저하되고 있다. 이에 수상레저안전법의 안전관리 소관부처를 해양경찰청으로 이관하는 법안이 발의되고 통과됨에 따라 수상레저활동의 안전관리 체계의 종합적인 검토가 필요하게 되었다. 본 연구는 수중레저법의 안전관리 강화를 위해 세 가지 개선방안을 제시하였다. 첫째, 연안사고예방법의 적용범위를 명확히 하여 수중레저활동에 적용되는 법령 적용의 혼선을 해소하는 한편, 수중레저법의 안전기준을 연안체험활동의 기준으로 상향조정함으로써 적용 법령에 관계없이 동일한 수준의 안전관리 기준이 제도적으로 확보할 것을 제안하였다. 둘째, 활동 전 위험성 평가 및 활동지 기록·보관 의무를 규정하고 셋째, 운송업자와 교육업자에게 각각 필요한 안전장비 구비 의무를 부여하는 것이 필요하다고 제언하였다.

Marine leisure activities are divided into water leisure type, underwater type, and general type (experience activities), and in Korea, the Water-related Leisure Activities Safety Act and the Act on Prevention of Accidents at Coastal Sea were enacted in a law because those leisure activities are easily accessible to citizens, and the Korea Coast Guard was in charge of those law for the safety management of those activities and rapid response in the event of an accident. On the other hand, the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries took a charge of the belatedly enacted Act on the Safety, Promotion, Etc. of underwater Leisure Activities as the Korea Coast Guard was disbanded due to the Ferry Sewol incident. As a result, despite the leisure activities conducted in the same marine space, different laws and ministries were different, resulting in confusion among followers and reduced efficiency of the safety management system. As a bill was proposed and passed to transfer the jurisdiction over safety management under Act on the Safety, Promotion, Etc. of underwater Leisure Activities to the Korea Coast Guard, a comprehensive review of the safety management system for water leisure activities has become necessary. This study proposes three key measures to strengthen the safety management framework of the Act on the Safety, Promotion, Etc. of underwater Leisure Activities in Korea. First, this study proposes clarifying the scope of application of the Act on Prevention of Accidents at Coastal Sea to resolve confusion regarding the applicable legal framework for Ac on the safety, Promotion, Etc. of underwater Leisure Activities. In parallel, it suggests raising the safety standards stipulated in Ac on the Safety, Promotion, Etc. of underwater Leisure Activities to match those of coastal experience activities. Through these measures, a uniform level of safety management can be institutionally secured regardless of the governing legislation. Second, it suggests mandating pre-activity risk assessments and record-keeping of activity locations. Third, it emphasizes the need to establish specific standards requiring transport and education providers to equip essential safety equipment tailored to their operations.