Pukyong National University

Pukyong National University Opens ‘Floating Campus’ to Local Residents for Sailing Experience

-“Pukyong National University Open-Ship with the Local Community” welcomes over 160 participants on 17th

-Training ship Baek Kyung-ho and research vessel Nara-ho sail off the coasts of Gwangalli, Haeundae, and Oryukdo

Pukyong National University (President Bae Sang-Hoon) held the 3rd “Pukyong National University Open-Ship with the Local Community” event on October 17 at the Yongho Bay Reclamation Pier in Busan, with over 160 local residents participating.

This annual event offers local residents an opportunity to experience the sea in depth by opening the university’s key educational and research resources―its training and research vessels.

On this day, Pukyong National University opened two advanced vessels from its College of Fisheries Science (Dean Kim Young-Mok) to the public: the training ship Baek Kyung-ho (Captain Kim Su-Hyung, 3,997 tons) and the advanced research vessel Nara-ho (Captain Lee Jun-Ho, 1,494 tons).

Onboard the Baek Kyung-ho, approximately 120 local residents were guided by around 30 crew members as they boarded the ship docked at the Yongho Bay Reclamation Pier. Participants toured the ship’s educational facilities designed for training maritime and ocean science professionals, including student dormitories, lecture rooms, and living quarters. They also explored key operational areas such as the bridge, deck, and engine control room.

Following the onboard tour, residents set sail aboard the Paek Kyung-ho, navigating around some of Busan’s iconic coastal landmarks, including Gwangandaegyo Bridge, Dongbaekseom Island in Haeundae, Igidae, and Oryukdo Islets, experiencing the beauty of the Busan sea from on board.

Aboard the Nara-ho, an exploration vessel, approximately 40 local residents and 20 crew members participated in a variety of hands-on programs. The event included an introduction to marine education programs jointly operated by seven universities nationwide, including Pukyong National University and Seoul National University, as well as experiences with advanced ocean exploration equipment actually used in the field. Participants also had the rare opportunity to witness and experience the vessel’s 360-degree stationary rotation maneuver on open water.

Meanwhile, 800 to 900 students and local residents participate annually in Pukyong National University’s ship-based tours and visits aboard its training and exploration vessels. The university plans to further expand these experiential programs to offer more opportunities for marine education and outreach. <Pukyong Today>