A Hong Kong media quoted information on February 7 from the Shanghai Ship Design and Research Institute as saying that China most technologically-advanced marine rescue ship, the 14000kw marine rescue ship, designed by the institute, began its construction work recently.

Before this ship, the institute undertook the design work of another two marine rescue ships, the 6000kw and 8000kw rescue ship, which had been constructed and already put to use. The three ships become the major types in domestic rescue work and upgrade China's ability in providing aid in ocean areas.

The 14000kw ocean rescue ship, with a total length of 109.7 meters and a width of 16.2 meters, will be built with stainless steel and can travel at a maximum speed of 22 knots. When completed, it will become the country's most advanced ship in terms of its size, power, equipment installed on the ship, and the functions it provides. The ship can hold as many as 100 people on board and can move steadily in typhoon and tidal wave weather conditions.

According to experts, time was most important factor in the ocean rescue work. These rescue ships, with a weight of only 3,000-4,000 tons, are driven by large power engines that are normally used in vessels weighing 30,000 tons or above. It runs 3-4 knots faster than tugboats of the same size. This enables them to arrive on the scene in a quickest time possible.

(Chinanews.cn February 10, 2006)