PELAKITA.ID – Hasanuddin University (Unhas) in Makassar has taken a bold step toward strengthening Indonesia’s maritime future with the launch of the Unhas Explorer, also known as UNEX 1.
Commissioned in November 2023, this modern research and educational vessel is a symbol of Unhas’s commitment to its tridarma of higher education: education, research, and community service.
As Indonesia continues to embrace its identity as a maritime nation, the Unhas Explorer emerges as a critical asset in advancing ocean-based knowledge and sustainable resource management.
Built with a fiberglass hull and designed for safety and endurance, the Unhas Explorer boasts impressive specifications: a length of 19.75 meters, width of 4.3 meters, and height of 1.7 meters, with a passenger capacity of 50 to 60 people.
Powered by two 210-PS Isuzu engines, the vessel can cover distances of 200–300 nautical miles, making it suitable for extended marine missions.
It is fully equipped with essential navigation and safety technologies—including radar with a 16-nautical-mile range, AIS, VHF radio, searchlights, and multiple watertight compartments—ensuring a safe and efficient platform for oceanographic work.
More than just a floating laboratory, the Unhas Explorer is a versatile hub for hands-on learning and innovation. It supports a wide range of marine activities, such as diving expeditions, coral reef surveys, fisheries assessments, and longline fishing training.
It has already played a key role in research across Indonesia’s Coral Triangle, one of the most biodiverse marine ecosystems in the world.
Beyond academic exploration, the vessel serves local communities through outreach programs that promote sustainable marine resource use—solidifying Unhas’s position as a national leader in maritime education, research, and stewardship.
Source: Unhas TV
