VESSEL REVIEW | New Haihua 71 – Yacht-inspired tour boat enters service in China's Zhejiang province

China’s Jianglong Shipbuilding recently handed over a new sightseeing vessel to local operator Zhoushan Haihua Passenger Transport.

New Haihua 71 (新海华71; Xin Haihua 71) has all-steel construction, an LOA of 45 metres (150 feet), a beam of 10.2 metres (33.5 feet), a draught of only 2.2 metres (7.2 feet), a depth of 3.5 metres (11 feet), and two main engines that deliver a service speed of just over 12 knots.

Well-laid-out interior and exterior spaces

The vessel’s appearance was designed to incorporate smooth, sleek lines similar to those of modern luxury yachts. The interiors were meanwhile laid out with airline first-class standards as reference.

There are three decks, the topmost of which also features the sun deck. The main and upper decks meanwhile feature large windows to provide passengers with unobstructed views of the outside.

Ideal for day and night cruises

Extensive exterior lighting is also fitted to provide adequate nighttime illumination, especially for passengers on the top deck.

The lighting also makes the vessel highly visible on the water from the view of onlookers on the shore during nighttime.

Design work on New Haihua 71 was undertaken by Zhejiang Seahead Ship Design and Research Institute.

The vessel will be operated primarily on sightseeing excursions around Mount Putuo Island in Zhejiang province.