VESSEL REVIEW | Haixun 06 – Large oceangoing patrol and rescue vessel to serve China’s Fujian province

The Wuchang Shipbuilding Industry Group, a subsidiary of China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC), has handed over a new large oceangoing patrol and search and rescue (SAR) vessel to the Fujian province branch office of the China Maritime Safety Administration (CMSA).

Designed by CSSC marine engineering subsidiary 701 Research Institute in compliance with China Classification Society rules, Haixun 06 is one of the largest SAR vessels currently in operation off the southeastern coast of China including the Taiwan Strait, with a displacement of approximately 5,560 tonnes, an LOA of 128.6 metres, and a beam of 16 metres. The vessel also has a depth of 7.9 metres and diesel-electric propulsion that allows it to reach a maximum speed of nearly 23 knots, exceeding the original design speed of 20 knots. It can sail up to 10,000 nautical miles without refueling or stay out at sea for 60 days.

The propulsion also features an intelligent PTO/PTI switching control system. This allows a reduction in the load of the main engines when navigating at low speeds, which will in turn reduce fuel consumption as well as carbon emissions. Even when only one main engine is used to drive both propellers, the vessel can still easily reach 14 knots.

The vessel's large size allows it to be adequately equipped for performing SAR and other emergency response duties even when subjected to high sea states and extreme weather conditions in China's offshore waters. Facilities therefore include a medical bay, a flight deck for accommodating a medium utility helicopter, and compartments for housing up to 200 people such as rescued accident survivors.

Haixun 06's other missions include external firefighting, oil spill response, environmental and ocean monitoring, and command and control (C&C). In the C&C role, the vessel relies on integrated command and information systems such as maritime data centres and multi-link communications.

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