China's deep-sea rescue vessel starts operation

China put into use its independently designed deep-sea multifunctional rescue vessel, the Nanhaijiu 103, on Tuesday.  

The Nanhaijiu 103, or Nanhai Rescue 103, was designed by the Shanghai Merchant Ship Design and Research Institute of the China State Shipbuilding Corporation group (CSSC) and built by the China Merchants Heavy Industry Co., Ltd. The all-weather-capable vessel can perform roles including search and rescue, offshore towing, salvage, firefighting, dive support, oil spill response monitoring, and command and control of seaborne and airborne emergency response assets.

With a total length of 136.9 meters, a full load displacement of 19,000 tonnes, and a sailing endurance of 16,000 nautical miles, the vessel can carry large and medium-sized rescue helicopters and operate in adverse sea and weather conditions.

The Nanhaijiu 103 fills the gap in China's comprehensive search and rescue capabilities in deep-sea areas with its powerful functions such as personnel search and rescue, vessel towing and rescue, firefighting, and monitoring of oil spills.

It will implement a 24-hour standby duty in key sea areas in the South China Sea with other search and rescue facilities.

"After being officially put into use, Nanhaijiu 103 will participate in global maritime search and rescue, among other international rescue missions. It will serve as a humanitarian public good to the international community in the South China Sea. It will be of great significance to ensuring the safety of lives, environment, and safety of property in the South China Sea, and guaranteeing the smooth operation of the maritime logistics supply chain," said Zhang Guiping, deputy director general of the South China Sea Rescue Bureau.