Patrol boat to guard Dokdo launched in ceremony
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A 3,000-ton patrol boat was launched in a ceremony at the Hanjin Heavy Industries and Construction Co. shipyard in Busan on Thursday (May 4), attended by the construction and transportation minister, the chief of the Korean Coast Guard, Busan community leaders and some 200 others.
Launching of the Taepyeongyang No. 7 had an added significance in that the vessel takes to the water at a time when interest in Korea over maritime sovereignty has been heightened in light of Japan's territorial claim to Dokdo, a dispute with North Korea over the NLL (Northern Limit Line) and poaching by Chinese fishing ships in Korea's EEZ (Exclusive Economic Zone).
The patrol boat, the sixth of its series since November 2004, is 110 meters long, 15.4 meters wide and has a maximum speed of 21 nautical miles per hour. The vessel is equipped with a helicopter deck and hangar.
The boat will be deployed to the Donghae Maritime Police in August following four months of sea trials.The source of news : Korea.net May 05, 2006
