To effectively crackdown on the illegally moored vessels, the port authority plans to employ drones with high-definition cameras. (image: Don McCullough/flickr)
BUSAN, April 6 (Korea Bizwire) – Unmanned aerial vehicles will be mobilized to crack down on ships illegally anchoring in sea lanes near the port of Busan.
The Busan Port Authority announced that it would utilize drones in its crackdown on floating docks or ships berthed for long periods of time at the wharves in the port. The efforts mark the first time that drones have been mobilized in port-related crackdowns on illegal activity.
At the crowded wharves and piers in the port, there has been a high risk of ship collisions due to the illegal anchoring of floating docks or barges for construction, which have invaded the sea lanes dedicated to passenger ships and freight vessels.
There have been many complaints that illegally anchored floating docks could cause sea accidents, as they narrow the sea lanes for other vessels, particularly at the wharf in Bongyang-dong.
To effectively crackdown on the illegally moored vessels, the port authority plans to employ drones with high-definition cameras. By presenting photos of the illegally anchored vessels, the port authority hopes to minimize complaints over their increased vigilance.
In addition to monitoring vessels anchored illegally, the Busan port will also use the drones to oversee activities in and around the port
A port official said, “In cracking down on illegal vessels invading the sea lanes, we will expand the usage of the drones to check the condition of container stacks or the safety of anchored vessels in the port.”
By John Choi (johnchoi@koreabizwire.com)
