Government officials and researchers launch the 90-ton Haeyang Nuri during a ceremony in the port city of Incheon, west of Seoul, on Nov. 18, 2011. The government launched the boat, which cost 8.2 billion won (US$7.2 million) to build and has a maximum speed of 35 knots, to service an ocean research station on the islet of Ieodo, south of Jeju Island. The unmanned station lies about 160 kilometers south of Jeju and has equipment and sensors to follow typhoons, help predict weather and detect changes to the maritime environment.