China: Afai Shipyard Commences Construction of Four Fast Rescue Vessels

On July 18th, 2013, Afai Southern Shipyard started simultaneous construction of the four coastal fast rescue vessels, being built for Ministry of Transport.

Mr. Yang Xiaoren, the Deputy Director General of China Rescue & Salvage Bureau of Ministry of Transport together with Mr. Sun Dongsheng, the Vice Chairman of Afai, pushed the control button of numerical control cutting machine to start the construction. The representatives of the ship owner, Guangzhou Maritime Safety Administration and CCS Guangzhou Branch witnessed the start of the construction.

The four vessels are the third batch of coastal fast rescue vessels contracted and built by Afai. Up till now, four vessels of this ship type have been on duty, undertaking social public welfare tasks of human life rescue at coastal areas and exerting their ability of quick reaction and searching at night, thus providing significant support to the ocean economy and maritime transportation.

This vessel type is full aluminum wave-piercing catamaran, propelled by twin engines and twin waterjets, with large deck area, fine navigability, high speed and maneuverability. It can carry a maximum of 200 rescued people, and meets the relevant requirements of the CCS rules on rescue vessels and aluminum high speed vessels.