In 2015, the safety refresher training system for seafarers was reformed with the aim of strengthening practical skills. However, a failure to forecast demand led to a chronic backlog of trainees. Furthermore, the uniform application of merchant vessel standards (STCW) to fishing vessels (STCW-F) created a qualitative problem, undermining the effectiveness of the education. This study aims to diagnose these issues and propose effective improvement measures. This research employed a mixed-methods approach. First, a comparative analysis was conducted between international conventions (STCW and STCW-F) and domestic regulations, institutional standards, and curricula. Second, an empirical analysis was performed through a survey of 220 merchant and fishing vessel seafarers, which was supplemented by in-depth interviews. The analysis revealed several critical gaps. The domestic legal framework does not distinguish between STCW and STCW-F and the curriculum is heavily biased toward theory, failing to meet international practice-oriented competency standards. The survey and interview results confirmed that the current fits all training is severely misaligned with the operational realities of fishing vessels, which have different equipment and environments. Based on these findings, this study proposes three prolonged improvement plans. First, the curriculum should be dualized to reflect the distinct characteristics of merchant and fishing vessels. Second, a hybrid training model that combines mandatory shore-based training for high-risk drills with flexible onboard training for basic skills should be introduced. Third, facility standards for training institutions should be converted from rigid mandates to flexible guidelines. These measures are expected to resolve the chronic training backlog and enhance the practical emergency response capabilities of all seafarers.