It is the first time that a hydrogen drone was used in a drill at sea. (image: Korea Coast Guard)
BORYEONG, July 24 (Korea Bizwire) — South Korea’s first search and rescue drill using hydrogen-powered unmanned drones took place at sea.
The drill was held at a special pier reserved for the Korea Coast Guard at Daecheon Port on the west coast and at sea near Wonsan Island, led by Prof. Lee Guk-jong, former chief of Ajou University Hospital’s trauma center, and the Korea Maritime Rescue and Salvation Association.
A renowned surgeon, Lee is best known for saving Seok Hae-gyun, the captain of a South Korean freighter who was shot during a mission to rescue the vessel from Somali pirates in 2011.
Drones were used to locate a person at sea and deliver a tube capable of supporting four adult men.
(image: Korea Coast Guard)
After receiving a report that a person who was fishing at the tetrapods had been surrounded by the rising tide, the drones swiftly located the person in distress.
It is the first time that a hydrogen drone was used in a drill at sea, the Coast Guard explained.
“The drones can also be used on a 300-ton patrol vessel, which is expected to help Coast Guard operations,” said Lee.
The Coast Guard plans to introduce hydrogen drones for tracking unidentified vessels in order to effectively monitor illegal entry by sea.
Kevin Lee (kevinlee@koreabizwire.com)
