The Rescue and Salvage Bureau of China's Ministry of Transport signed an agreement Tuesday to buy four more rescue helicopters.

The S-76C++ copters will be equipped with professional rescue and salvage equipment, including an emergency float, powerful search light and rescue winch, said Song Jiahui, director of the bureau.

The maximum cruise speed of the 12-seat model reaches 155 knots per hour. They can fly continually for 2.5 hours.

The ministry plans to buy the helicopters from Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation.

Xu Zuyuan, vice minister of transport, said the four helicopters would enhance China's salvage and rescue capacity both at sea and in air.

This is the first step China has made toward building a comprehensive air and sea rescue system to cover its 18,000-km coast, said Xu.

He added China would strengthen the fleet in the future.

China bought two rescue helicopters from Sikorsky in 2000 and established a maritime rescue team.

It purchased another two S-76 C+ models in 2004, which are used in the Bohai Bay area.

(Xinhua News Agency October 14, 2008)