![Maritime administration officials salute at the launching ceremony of patrol vessel Haixun01, Wuhan of Hubei province, July 28, 2012. [Photo/Xinhua]
China launches its largest patrol vessel
China launched its largest and most advanced patrol vessel Haixun01 on Saturday in Wuhan, a city in Central China’s Hubei province, in a move to maintain its marine sovereignty and enhance its rescue efficiency.
Haixun01 is the first Chinese patrol vessel to simultaneously incorporate marine inspection and rescue functions. It will carry out missions regarding maritime inspection, safety monitoring, rescue, oil spill detection and handling, said Xu Guoyi, head of the Shanghai Maritime Bureau, which will manage the ship.
It is expected to be put into service by the end of this year, Xu said.
The 5,418-tonnage Haixun01 is 128.6 meters in length. Its sailing speed is 37 km per hour and has a maximum sailing distance of 10,000 nautical miles (18,520 km) without refueling, said Tang Gongjie, general manager of Wuchang Shipbuilding Industry Company Ltd, the builder of the ship.
The ship can accommodate 200 people rescued at sea and will be equipped with devices to offer basic medical treatment and surgeries. The vessel also has a helipad so airborne search and rescue missions can be carried out from it.
In addition to rescue missions, the vessel is able to tow ships as well as put out fires on other boats.](http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m7vu6yx7Si1rz307wo1_1280.jpg)
Maritime administration officials salute at the launching ceremony of patrol vessel Haixun01, Wuhan of Hubei province, July 28, 2012. [Photo/Xinhua]
China launches its largest patrol vessel
China launched its largest and most advanced patrol vessel Haixun01 on Saturday in Wuhan, a city in Central China’s Hubei province, in a move to maintain its marine sovereignty and enhance its rescue efficiency.
Haixun01 is the first Chinese patrol vessel to simultaneously incorporate marine inspection and rescue functions. It will carry out missions regarding maritime inspection, safety monitoring, rescue, oil spill detection and handling, said Xu Guoyi, head of the Shanghai Maritime Bureau, which will manage the ship.
It is expected to be put into service by the end of this year, Xu said.
The 5,418-tonnage Haixun01 is 128.6 meters in length. Its sailing speed is 37 km per hour and has a maximum sailing distance of 10,000 nautical miles (18,520 km) without refueling, said Tang Gongjie, general manager of Wuchang Shipbuilding Industry Company Ltd, the builder of the ship.
The ship can accommodate 200 people rescued at sea and will be equipped with devices to offer basic medical treatment and surgeries. The vessel also has a helipad so airborne search and rescue missions can be carried out from it.
In addition to rescue missions, the vessel is able to tow ships as well as put out fires on other boats.
