China's first multi-functional deep-sea scientific research and archaeological vessel has officially docked in Nansha District of Guangzhou City, south China's Guangdong Province! 🎉🌊
This massive ship measures a whopping 104 meters in length and displaces about 10,000 tonnes. Designed, developed, and built entirely in China, it's like the real-life Nautilus setting off on epic underwater adventures! 🧭⚓
What's so cool about it? Well, it's not just any ship. It can dive deep into the ocean to explore and excavate cultural relics, conduct scientific investigations, and even navigate polar seas in the summer thanks to its bidirectional ice-breaking capabilities! 🐋❄️
With room for 80 people, the vessel can cruise at speeds up to 16 knots (that's about 30 kilometers per hour) and has a range of 15,000 nautical miles. Talk about a journey! 🚀
The shipbuilders started construction in June 2023, investing around 800 million yuan (approximately $112.7 million). They've made some serious breakthroughs in tech, like intelligent control systems, low-temperature precise compensation, and heavy payload structures suited for icy waters. 💡
\"We've worked hard to replace imported components with homegrown tech, especially for scientific research equipment and expanding functionalities,\" said He Guangwei, deputy chief engineer at Guangzhou Shipyard International Company. \"We're actively exploring how our domestically produced equipment performs in polar regions.\" 🗣️
Before its grand debut in early 2025, the ship will undergo equipment and system debugging, outfit its living areas, and complete sea trials. Once it's ready, it'll serve as an open and shared maritime platform for scientific innovation in China. 🌐
This vessel marks a significant leap in China's ability to conduct deep-sea research and archaeology, enhancing manned diving capabilities across all sea areas. It's a big step toward unlocking the mysteries of the deep! 🌊🔎
Reference(s):
Deep-sea scientific research and archaeological ship docks in S China
cgtn.com
