VESSEL REVIEW | Xunxian 17 – Chinese 430-pax sightseeing vessel for Yantai-Dalian daily sailings

Chinese operator Changdao Bohai Changtong Travel Company has begun operational sailings of a new passenger vessel built by compatriot Penglai Zhongbai Jinglu Ship Industry. Named Xunxian 17 after a county in the northern part of the Chinese province of Henan, the newbuild will be operated primarily on sightseeing tours.

The new vessel has an LOA of 79 metres, a beam of 15 metres, a draught of 3.2 metres, a cruising speed of 14 knots, and a maximum speed of just over 17 knots. An active ride control system ensures improved comfort during sailings even as the vessel is subjected to strong winds.

There is capacity for 430 passengers in VIP and three separate economy seating sections. The onboard facilities consist of conference rooms, passenger sleeper cabins including outside-facing suites, casual dining restaurants, private dining areas, and a multi-functional sundeck that can also serve as an open-air venue for corporate events and other activities. The sundeck also has lounge chairs and tables with umbrellas.

All onboard spaces are fitted with lifesaving and fire safety equipment that satisfies SOLAS and other requirements that cover passenger vessels built for international sailings.

The daily operational route of the vessel will connect Shandong and Liaoning provinces via the cities of Yantai and Dalian, a one-way distance of just over 185 kilometres. Peak operations will occur during the summer months between July and August.

Design work on Xunxian 17 was provided by local naval architects Zhejiang Seahead Ship Design And Research Institute (Seahead) in compliance to China Classification Society rules.

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