Fishermen rejoice with the help of unmanned fishing vessel technology

Following the guidance of Quang Tri province's Sub-Department of Fisheries, Mr. Nguyen Van Ngoc, owner of the fishing vessel QT-29756-TS in Ward 5, Cua Viet town, Gio Linh district, has proactively implemented the use of an automatic steering equipment on his fishing vessel. This initiative marks the first automatic steering model to be applied by fishermen in Quang Tri province, to relatively high success.

After recognizing the benefits of the automatic steering equipment system on fishing vessels, Mr. Ngoc invested 50 million Vietnamese dong to install the system on his 730CV-capacity fishing vessel of approximately 20.7 meters in length. Due to his regular offshore operation, the equipment system has provided convenient and effective assistance.

The automatic steering equipment system consists of four key components: a highly accessible 7-inch LED screen, which only requires the input of direction or destination coordinates; a GPS-integrated touch electronic compass for geopositioning and direction stabilization; a screen combined with a data processing system; a feedback system for the steering wheel angle designed to be compatible with multiple steering systems. The automatic steering system on the fishing vessel uses a smart electric steering wheel, controlling only the hydraulic steering column, making it the safest and simplest steering system currently on the market.

Mr. Nguyen Van Ngoc shared, "We are used to operating the steering system manually, and the vessel captain must be on constant alert. Thanks to the modern automatic steering system, we only need to install a positioning screen, and the automatic steering system will help direct the vessel to the predetermined fishing ground. Not only does the system make steering the vessel less stressful as there is no need to manually steer, but the vessel also follows the shortest route, thereby consuming less fuel. In the past, each 15-day sea voyage will cost us at least 1000 liters of fuel. With this system, we currently only need 900 liters."

The automatic steering equipment system features alert functions for deviation in direction, overloading of the steering wheel, speed and arrival, and motion sensors, which will enhance safety of the vessel during automatic steering. Notably, the device also features an anti-sleep alarm function, which helps prevent the vessel driver from falling asleep at the steering wheel; the driver can activate this function at signs of exhaustion. The equipment system also includes an alert function for a lack of manned operations. According to regulations, at least one person must be assigned to manned operations during the vessel's journey. Consequently, this alert function ensures the effectiveness of manned operations to ensure the safety of the fishing vessel and its crew member at sea.

Results from sea voyages demonstrated that the installation of the automatic steering equipment system has reduced fuel costs by 10%. Furthermore, it reduces the physical strain on the vessel driver, thereby ensuring the health of long-haul drivers, especially when participating in fishing operations remote seas exceeding 200 nautical miles. The system also reduces the time to travel to fishing grounds, shortening the time for each sea voyage and maximizing profit for each trip.

Mr. Le Duc Thang, Deputy Head of the Fisheries Division under Quang Tri province's Sub-Department of Fisheries, added that an advantage of the automatic steering equipment system is the four steering modes: steering by wheel, remote steering, direction-based steering and point-based steering. Switching from automatic steering to manual steering can be done via a button on the steering wheel. The remote steering function eliminates the need of a driver to be present within the steering cabin.

Mr. Le Duc Thang shared that Quang Tri province's Sub-Department of Fisheries will continue to guide fishermen in the widespread adoption of automatic steering technology for fishing vessels, with a focus on vessels with a capacity of over 400 horsepower and a minimum length of 15 meters, and vessels engaged in various offshore fishing practices such as trawl, seine, and trap nets.