Massive China Coast Guard vessel patrols South China Sea

The world's largest coast guard vessel, the China Coast Guard (CCG) 3901, has completed its maiden patrol in the Xisha islands in South China Sea.

World’s largest coast guard vessel, China Coast Guard (CCG) 3901, patrols the Xisha Islands in the South China Sea, in April 2017. [Photo: scsb.gov.cn]

The vessel, along with 17 marine law enforcement personnel and two drones, has spent the past 19 days visiting 15 of the Xisha islands, patrolling the territorial waters around 12 of them to protect China's maritime rights, according to the South China Sea branch of State Oceanic Administration.

Chinese marine law enforcement personnel board a small boat from the CCG 3901 in the South China Sea, in April 2017. [Photo: scsb.gov.cn]

The CCG 3901 – with a 12,000-ton displacement and maximum speed of 25 knots – has been described by some foreign media as a "monster".

Chinese marine law enforcement personnel take a small boat to land on one of the Xisha islands in the South China Sea, in April 2017. [Photo: scsb.gov.cn]

The patrol vessel is also equipped with 76mm rapid fire guns, two auxiliary guns and two anti-aircraft machine guns. In addition, the CCG 3901 has a helicopter platform and a hangar in the stern, capable of transporting heavy helicopters.

Chinese marine law enforcement personnel use a drone to patrol one of the Xisha islands in the South China Sea, in April 2017. [Photo: scsb.gov.cn]

Chinese marine law enforcement personnel check a patrol point monument marking Chinese territorial waters on one of the Xisha islands in the South China Sea, in April 2017. [Photo: scsb.gov.cn]