VESSEL REVIEW | Haixun 176 – Large buoy tender to be deployed in China’s Hainan Strait

China's Wuchang Shipbuilding Industry Group has handed over a new large buoy maintenance vessel to the China Maritime Safety Administration (CMSA).

The steel-hulled Haixun 176 (海巡176) was built to a design by the 708 Research Institute of the China Shipbuilding Group. The vessel has an LOA of 75 metres (250 feet), a beam of 14 metres (46 feet), a depth of 6.3 metres (21 feet), a design draught of four metres (13 feet), and a displacement of 2,450 tons at full load.

Improved positioning capability for effective maintenance in offshore waters

The vessel is fitted with an electric propulsion system consisting of three diesel generators and two azimuthing thrusters. This arrangement will deliver a cruising speed of 15 knots and a range of 5,000 nautical miles.

A large deck crane is available for lifting buoys out of the water and then returning these following servicing on the spacious midships deck, while a dynamic positioning (DP) system and bow thrusters will provide additional lateral manoeuvrability. The DP system is accurate to within one metre (three feet).

Durable multi-role platform

The new CMSA buoy maintenance vessel is able to stay out at sea for up to 40 days to conduct inspections and repairs of buoys and lighthouses; search and rescue; oil spill response; personnel and cargo transport to and from islands; radio signal monitoring; and other duties that will help ensure safe navigation in the South China Sea.

Haixun 176 will be operated primarily in the Hainan Strait as part of the South China Sea Navigation Support Centre of the Chinese Ministry of Transport.