China starts constructing tailor-made mother ship for manned submersible

Construction of a new mother ship for China's manned submersible "Jiaolong" is now underway, reports the Guangming Daily.

A ceremony is held to mark the start of construction of a tailor-made mother ship for China's manned submersible "Jiaolong" in Wuhan, Hubei Province on Saturday, September 16, 2017. [Photo: stdaily.com]

The new mother ship will be named the "Shenhai-1," which translates into "Deep Sea 1." 

A ceremony is held to mark the start of construction of a tailor-made mother ship for China's manned submersible "Jiaolong" in Wuhan, Hubei Province on Saturday, September 16, 2017. [Photo: stdaily.com]

"Shenhai-1" has been specially designed based on the features of the "Jiaolong." Experts say the scientific expedition ship will be better for the submersible's deep dives.

The new ship will be 90.2 meters long and 16.8 meters wide, with a cruising endurance of more than 14,000 nautical miles.

It will be equipped with labs and operating systems which can offer underwater and surface support for the "Jiaolong." It will also be able to conduct sample analysis and data processing while the Jiaolong conducts its underwater expeditions.

It will support onboard maintenance of the submersible.

"Shenhai-1" is scheduled to undergo water trials before the end of August, 2018. It's due to be delivered to Chinese researchers by March, 2019.

The "Jiaolong," which is currently undergoing upgrades, will be put back into service when its new mother ship is made officially active.

China's manned submersible "Jiaolong" [File photo: Chinanews.com]

"Jialong's" previous mother ship, the 39-year-old "Xiangyanghong 09," is set to retire after carrying the "Jiaolong" to hundreds of dives since 2009.