South China Sea: Hainan extends rescue reach with bigger patrol ship

The Haixun 03 will enable safety authorities to support services stationed 1,200km away on Subi Reef, analyst says

New ship also expected to raise vigilance among other countries claiming sovereignty over the area

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The Haixun 03 has a range of up to 10,000 nautical miles. Photo: Weibo

Published: 9:00pm, 30 Mar 2023

Maritime safety authorities in China’s southernmost island of Hainan have taken delivery of an advanced ocean-going search and rescue vessel that will extend the service’s reach by hundreds of nautical miles into the disputed South China Sea.

The Hainan Maritime Safety Administration commissioned the 5,560-tonne Haixun 03, or “sea patrol” in Mandarin, at its base in Haikou on Wednesday, according to state broadcaster CCTV.

At more than 128 metres (420 feet) long, the vessel has a range of up to 10,000 nautical miles, can handle adverse weather and sea conditions, and transport 200 passengers in a single trip.

The Hainan administration oversees waters that include a municipality in the disputed Paracel Islands, about 260 nautical miles from Haikou. The Paracels, known in China as the Xisha Islands and in Vietnam as the Hoang Sa Islands, are also claimed by Vietnam and Taiwan.

The Haixun 03 is bigger than other vessels commissioned by the Hainan maritime authorities, according to one analyst. Photo: Weibo

The Haixun 03 was built in Guangzhou by the Huangpu Wenchong Shipyard, a subsidiary of China State Shipbuilding Corporation, which develops both research vessels and warships.

The ship is equipped with a drone and a mid-sized helicopter and was designed for various functions, including maritime patrol and rescue, firefighting and monitoring oil spills.

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