VESSEL REVIEW | Nanhai Jiu 103 – Multi-role emergency response vessel for Chinese transport ministry

The Chinese Ministry of Transport, through sub-agency South China Sea Rescue Bureau, has taken delivery of a new large rescue vessel.

Built by China Merchants Heavy Industry, Nanhai Jiu 103 ("Nanhai Rescue 103") was designed by the Shanghai Merchant Ship Design and Research Institute (SDARI) of the China Shipbuilding Group. The all-weather-capable vessel was developed from the outset to perform roles including search and rescue (SAR), offshore towing, salvage, firefighting, dive support, oil spill response monitoring, and command and control (C&C) of seaborne and airborne emergency response assets.

The vessel has an LOA of 137 metres, a beam of 27 metres, a draught of 6.8 metres, a gross tonnage of 14,449, and a deadweight of 6,450. A diesel-electric propulsion system with a total installed power of 14,000 kW delivers a maximum speed of 17.5 knots, a range of 16,000 nautical miles, and an impressive bollard pull of approximately 350 tonnes, enabling the towing of large disabled vessels.

The emergency response equipment includes a multi-beam sonar, a DP3 system, a 250-tonne active heave-compensated crane, an A-frame, a moonpool, and hangars and workstations for transporting and control of remotely operated vehicles (ROVs). Other key features include fire-resistant structural panels and a forward helicopter deck.

Construction of Nanhai Jiu 103 was done in compliance to China Classification Society requirements.