VESSEL REVIEW | Changsha Xiaofang Jiuyuan 01 – Large firefighting and rescue vessel to serve China’s Hunan province

A new firefighting and rescue vessel will soon begin operating in the inland waters of Hunan province in southern China.

The aptly named Changsha Xiaofang Jiuyuan 01 ("Changsha Fire Rescue 01") is the first emergency response vessel in Hunan province that will integrate the functions of search and rescue (SAR), firefighting, and command and control (C&C) in a single seagoing platform. The development of the vessel is in line with the objective of providing Changsha City in Hunan with an "all disaster" emergency response capability, particularly in the areas of maritime firefighting and rescue operations.

The highly versatile vessel has an LOA of 39 metres, a moulded beam of 8.8 metres, a moulded depth of 3.2 metres, a draught of 2.1 metres at full load, and a gross tonnage of 289. A high degree of onboard automation allows the vessel to be operated by only four crewmembers, though onboard space is adequate for accommodating additional personnel such as rescued accident survivors.

A pair of diesel engines each produce 2,032 kW and drive controllable-pitch propellers to deliver an operational speed of 17 knots. Alternatively, batteries may be used to provide the vessel with propulsive power for up to 10 hours, a key capability especially during sustained emergency response operations. Bow thrusters provide added manoeuvrability to enable the vessel to turn on its own length as well as to berth and unberth more easily.

The array of firefighting equipment consists of ladders and elevating platforms when responding to incidents on larger vessels or tall structures, two pumps that each have a flow rate of 2,000 litres per minute, and five monitors that are mounted strategically throughout the superstructure to allow effective discharges of water or foam regardless of the vessel's orientation. The monitors can be remotely controlled from the bridge, and a controller can easily switch between water and foam even while the monitors are in operation.

Attached on either side of the vessel's hull are rescue ladders for use in recovering adrift survivors from the water. There is also deck space for accommodating a six-metre daughter craft that will provide additional SAR capability.

Changsha Xiaofang Jiuyuan 01 was designed in compliance to China Classification Society (CCS) rules and built by Hunan Xiangchuan Shipbuilding Industry to be capable of withstanding Beaufort force nine wind conditions. The vessel will be operated by the Changsha Fire Rescue Detachment following its delivery before the end of this year. Its main area of operations will encompass the Xiangjiang River, though it may also be utilised for emergency response in the coastal waters of Hunan.

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