VESSEL REVIEW | Xiangzhou Yun – Research and testing vessel for Chinese marine science organisation

China's Jiangxi Jiangxin Shipbuilding has delivered a new research vessel to the Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai) (SML Zhuhai).

Xiangzhou Yun (香洲云; "Xiangzhou Cloud") features an array of systems for intelligent navigation, remote control, intelligent integration, and intelligent energy efficiency as well as all-weather capability. The vessel was designed to function as a deep-sea, multi-disciplinary survey and test support platform. In the latter role, it will undertake testing and evaluation duties in support of the development of unmanned vehicles and other marine intelligent systems by scientists at SML Zhuhai.

The vessel may also be employed for the secondary roles of search and rescue (SAR) and emergency towing of distressed ships, as it is capable of extended-endurance operations in offshore waters.

For research work, the vessel is outfitted to perform surveys in connection with marine geology, geophysics, biochemical hydrology, and acoustic exploration.

Xiangzhou Yun has an LOA of 56.9 metres (186 feet), a beam of 9.8 metres (32 feet), a design draught of only 2.4 metres (7.8 feet), a depth of 4.5 metres (14.7 feet), laboratory spaces, and accommodation for 23 crewmembers and other personnel. The propulsion arrangement includes a bow thruster and two main engines that drive controllable-pitch propellers to deliver a maximum speed of 15 knots and a range of 1,200 nautical miles.

The vessel can also stay out at sea for a maximum of 22 days.

Fitted with safe autonomous navigation technology

Also fitted on the vessel are a collision avoidance system, a deck crane, and a collapsible A-frame on the stern for deployment and recovery of drones and survey equipment.

The collision avoidance system has a detection range of 2.5 nautical miles and a detection accuracy of greater than 95 per cent. The system boasts decision-making functions to enable the vessel to easily avoid coastlines, reefs, and other obstacles.

Xiangzhou Yun was designed by the Wuhan Ship Design and Research Institute in compliance to China Classification Society rules including the Intelligent Ship notation. The vessel has already begun operating in support of systems development activities at SML Zhuhai's Wanshan Marine Test Site, a dedicated area in the Wanshan Islands off the city of Zhuhai. for the testing of unmanned maritime platforms.