[IMAGE: INSTITUTE OF DEEP-SEA SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING, CHINESE ACADEMY OF SCIENCES]

Tansuo-2, the mother ship of China’s manned submersible that is capable of diving to depths of 10,000 meters, has returned to Sanya in South China’s Hainan Province after an 18-month renovation project.

The ship, colored mainly white and green, left Fuzhou Port in the eastern province of Fujian on June 25 before arriving in Sanya on June 28.

Owned by the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tansuo-2 features an advanced electric propulsion and positioning system, which can provide sufficient power and automatic cruise capabilities for deep-sea explorations.

It can carry 60 researchers and serves as the mother ship for China’s new manned submersible Fendouzhe (Striver) and the older Shenhai Yongshi (Deep Sea Warrior), which are capable of reaching depths of 10,000 meters and 4,500 meters, respectively.

The ship is 87.2 meters long and 18.8 meters wide, with a full-load displacement of 6,800 tonnes. It has a maximum speed of 14.2 knots and a cruising range of 15,000 nautical miles, further than that of the previous-generation Tansuo-1.

The renovation project started in December 2018 at Fujian Mawei Shipbuilding Co., Ltd. Engineers have upgraded the ship with more labs and increased cabin comforts for researchers.

Source: Xinhua