“AI drones to chase tuna” ... Dongwon Industries’ state-of-the-art Danuri sets sail on its maiden voyage

[Financial News] Dongwon Industries’ state-of-the-art purse seiner, the Danuri, is setting out on its maiden voyage to the open sea.
According to industry sources, Dongwon Industries held a departure ceremony for its new purse seiner, the Danuri, at Dadae Port in Busan on the 29th. The ship’s name, Danuri, means “enjoy all the seas” and is also the official nickname of South Korea’s first lunar orbiter (KPLO), giving it symbolic significance as a pioneer. The Danuri is the first purse seiner built through the Deep-Sea Fishing Vessel Safety Fund, operated by the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries. The ministry introduced the fund in 2019 to ensure the safety and improve the welfare of deep-sea fishing workers.
The Danuri is a 2,000-ton-class purse seiner equipped with advanced technology at every stage of fishing operations, from locating schools of fish to storing the catch. About 30 crew members will work aboard the vessel, fishing for tuna in the South Pacific for about a year. Its key feature is a fish-school detection system linked to artificial intelligence (AI). The drone aboard the Danuri is dedicated to detecting schools of fish and can take off and land automatically even while the vessel is underway. It has a top speed of 120 km/h. 
In particular, operating two drones simultaneously has expanded the range over which schools of fish can be detected. AI in the control room analyzes footage of the sea captured by the drones in real time. The vessel also uses the latest fish-finding equipment, including 3D sonar and radar, to pinpoint schools accurately and improve fishing efficiency.
The Danuri is also the first deep-sea fishing vessel to be equipped with a remote monitoring system. The condition of key areas of the vessel, including the engine room and bridge (integrated control room), can be checked in real time from shore, enabling systematic management and enhancing safety. Park Sang-jin, CEO of Dongwon Industries, said, “By connecting advanced technology with deep-sea fishing, a traditional industry, we will boost our competitiveness and, as the country’s largest fisheries company, take the lead in protecting the human rights of our crew.” 
[email protected] Kim Seo-yeon Reporter