On December 29, China's first comprehensive scientific research ship designed for global deep-sea exploration, the Tan Suo San Hao, or Exploration No. 3, was commissioned at Nanshan Port Public Scientific Research Pier in Sanya, south China's Hainan Province, signaling an expansion of China’s manned deep-sea diving capabilities into all of the seas on the earth, including the polar regions.

On Dec. 29, the Exploration No. 3 docked at Nanshan Port Public Scientific Research Pier in Sanya. (Photo: Hainan Daily)

What are the scientific and technological innovations of the the Exploration No. 3?

China's scientific research ship Tan Suo Yi Hao (Exploration No. 1) made its debut in 2016. In 2020, the upgraded Tan Suo Er Hao (Exploration No. 2), equipped with an array of domestically produced scientific research equipment and the capability to support manned deep-sea diving arrived. Four years later, the Exploration No. 3 is ready to set sail. This latest in the Exploration line features a number of key technologies such as a comprehensive suite of polar operation scientific research control equipment, China's largest domestically developed water-tight scientific research moon pool system, deep-sea acoustic detection equipment for ice areas, communication and positioning equipment, and a dynamic positioning system. The vessel is capable of carrying out deep-sea scientific exploration and archaeological missions to uncover cultural relics, as well as summertime scientific exploration of the polar regions.   

On Dec. 29, the Exploration No. 3 docked at Nanshan Port Public Scientific Research Pier in Sanya. (Photo: Hainan Daily)

First, let’s take a look at the ship’s ice-breaking capabilities. With two-directional ice-breaking capabilities at both the bow and stern, the Exploration No. 3 is able to break through 1.2 meter thick ice and 0.2 meter thick snow with relatively low propulsion power.

Next, consider the ship’s silence. The underwater noise test results show significantly less noise than design limits allow. The quiet operation of the ship reduces the impact on marine life while also improving scientific exploration detection capabilities and comfort aboard the vessel.

The intelligent technology of the Exploration No. 3 is unparalleled. The ship benefits from smart energy efficiency, with smart navigation, smart cabins, smart platforms, and other smart ship markers of the China Classification Society. A scientific research data system and ship-shore collaborative management system based on big data have also been developed for the vessel.

China's largest domestically developed water-tight scientific research moon pool system is not to be underestimated. the Exploration No. 3 moon pool system technology meets leading international standards, ensuring the safe operation of high-end offshore equipment in extreme marine and polar ice environments, while also improving the ship’s endurance, raising loading capacity, and extending resupply cycles.

What does the Exploration No. 3 look like? Where will it go?

The Exploration No. 3 measures around 104 meters in length, has a discharge volume of 10,000 tons, a range of 15,000 nautical miles, and accommodates 80 personnel. The colorfully painted ship has five decks, with the ship’s cabin featuring a floating miniature pop science and art gallery with three main themed displays.

The underwater archeology themed displays are:  "Underwater Archaeology and Maritime Silk Road", "China Underwater Archaeology Chronicle", and “World-Famous Underwater Archaeological Sites”. The pop science polar region exploration display focuses on “Ice Explorers”, “Ice Tools”, and a “Polar Region Exploration Chronology”. There is also a display of the marine equipment of the ship’s living cabins, showing how the doors of the 80 cabins are designed to integrate with the polar exploration vessel, improving the cultural atmosphere of the navigation environment in multiple dimensions.

World-Famous Underwater Archaeological Sites Display on the Exploration No. 3. (Photo: Hainan Daily)

On Dec. 31, the Exploration No. 3 will set off from its home port in Sanya towards the deep sea, beginning its legendary voyages into the depths of the sea. In the near future, the vessel will carry the manned submersible Shenhai Yongshi, or Deep Sea Warrior, to carry out regular scientific research operations, deep-sea equipment sea trials, and deep-sea archaeology in the South China Sea. In the second half of 2025, the submersible will conduct deep-sea diving operations with the safeguarding of the vessel.

A commemorative photo of the ship’s maiden voyage, taken on Dec. 26, occupies pride of place on the Exploration No. 3’s Expedition Photo Wall. (Photo: Hainan Daily)

Going forward, the Exploration No. 3 will focus on major national ocean scientific research needs and strategic tasks, deep-sea frontier problems in science, and key technological bottlenecks, while promoting Hainan’s emerging industries, such as marine bio-medicine, marine equipment manufacturing, marine new energy resources, and marine tourism.