Huangpu Wenchong Wins Orders for New Generation Intelligent Ocean Rescue Vessels

Wang Jin, Kuang Zhanting, Xia Xiaojian, Shi Gongqian

Four 4,000 kW medium-sized ocean rescue vessels designed by CSSC Shanghai Merchant Ship Design& Research Institute (SDARI) and built by CSSC Huangpu Wenchong Shipbuilding for the Donghai Rescue Bureau of the Ministry of Transport,were officially signed on December 15,2022.

The batch of 4000 kW mediumsized ocean rescue vessels are new generation intelligent ones developed and designed on the basis of the first ship "Donghai Rescue 151", combined with the new technology direction of "rescue and salvage ship type +intelligence". This series of ships will further enhance the networking and digitalization capabilities of maritime rescue and salvage, better adapt to the new requirements of maritime rescue and salvage in the new era, and more effectively guarantee the building of a peaceful China on the new journey.

A key link in building a strong rescue system

This type of ocean rescue vessel is mainly used for human life rescue and ship salvage in shallow water areas such as coastal waterways and reefs under medium and low sea conditions.It can take into account the rescue tasks under high sea conditions and participate in dynamic duty standby when necessary. Its R&D has filled the gap of China's maritime medium-sized rescue force.

As China's first rescue ship in the form of all-electric drive, allrotary propeller, this type of ship can adapt to complex rescue conditions and complex rescue sea areas, and is the first domestic and international first-class medium-sized ocean rescue vessel.

We learned that "Donghai Rescue 151" was delivered and took its place on December 25, 2019. During 3 years of operation, all equipment operated well, and successfully completed rescue of the fishing boat "Yulan 61001" and the cargo ship "Ding Hao Ji 7" in distress, which was recognized by the shipowners, and it passed the completion acceptance and postevaluation organized by the Rescue and Salvage Bureau of the Ministry of Transport in August 2020, and was praised by experts and had the conditions for batch construction.

The inked subsequent four series ships are expected, after completion and delivery, to become our main medium-sized ocean rescue vessels along with "Donghai Rescue 151” ,promote the strategic planning of the Bureau for large, medium and small rescue ship types, and far, medium and near rescue scopes, and escort for the national maritime power and transport power.

Cradle of Chinese rescue ships

The Report of the Party's Twentith National Congress calls for improving the disposal and assurance capabilities of disaster prevention, mitigation and relief and urgent, difficult, dangerous and serious public emergencies, and strengthening the building of national regional emergency response forces.Adhering to the "people-centered" and"people first and life uppermost" has always been an important development concept of China. Since the beginning of the new century, the Chinese government has continuously increased its investment in rescue equipment and built a strong national emergency response system.

After the investigation and site selection of the Rescue and Salvage Bureau of MOT, Huangpu Wenchong was identified as the rescue ship builder. Up to now, the company has built a total of 33 rescue ships of 7 types for China's rescue and salvage system, including 8000 kW, 14000 kW,12000 kW and 4000 kW rescue ships for China's rescue and salvage system,which has become the main construction base of domestic rescue and salvage equipment.

With mighty profile and advanced performance, the well-equipped ocean rescue ships set out from Huangpu Wenchong, made outstanding achievements in the national major maritime watchover, space launch supply and urgent, difficult, dangerous and serious maritime rescue tasks,became "Maritime Protector", "Modern Mazu" in the eyes of the people,repeatedly won commends of the State and governments at various levels as well as thanks of foreign countries, and made an important contribution to the development of the maritime rescue sector in China and setting up powercountry image.

SDARI is committed to serving the national sea rescue undertaking,closely centers on "China Rescue" new demand in the new era, continues to offer technical support in the "green,intelligent" development direction of the MOT rescue and salvage system,constantly enpowers rescue and salvage equipment with new technologies and new achievements in ship design,so as to better improve "China Rescue"’s disposal and assurance capabilities of disaster prevention,mitigation and relief and urgent,difficult, dangerous and serious public emergencies, and escort for Chinese modernization.

There are three 14,000 kW ocean rescue ships, known as China's first rescue, including “Beihai Rescue 101”, “Donghai Rescue 101”and “Nanhai Rescue 101”. This series of ships are large ocean rescue ships designed by SDARI and built by Huangpu Wenchong for the MOT rescue system.

The series ships are all-weather high-power ocean rescue ships with the most complete rescue system,most powerful operation capacity,largest propulsion power, fastest speed,and highest technical performance.It has Class 2 external fire fighting operation capacity, rescue operation capacities for ships in distress including batterning down, plugging,drainage and air diving, nighttime search and rescue capability, able to carry 200 rescued people, equipped with a large rescue helicopter platform and refueling make-up system. It is the flagship of the rescue system,representing the image of the Chinese rescue industry.

The 12000 KW rescue patrol ship is a professional rescue ship with deep and far sea search capability, equipped with shipborne aircraft hangar, aircraft platform, helicopter fuel tank, ultra short baseline positioning system, ship dynamic positioning system among equipment. It has functions of life saving at sea, towing rescue of ship in distress, external fire fighting and oil spill recovery.

The 8000 KW ocean rescue ship is a large-scale one indenpendently developed and designed by SDARI with diversified functions, high speed, big bollard towing tension,strong wind resistance and excellent manipulation. following the increasing demand for maritime rescue in China, missions and tasks are gradually diversified. SDARI has conducted continuous improvement in 8000 KW ocean rescue ships upon the requirements of the MOT rescue bureau in the last decade.