Largest research vessel delivered for Yangtze River protection
2025-07-21 18:07:06
By Chen Zai
The largest research vessel by tonnage to operate on the Yangtze River has recently been delivered to the China Three Gorges Corporation.
The largest research vessel by tonnage to operate on the Yangtze River has recently been delivered to the China Three Gorges Corporation.
The SAN XIA YI HAO research vessel
The vessel, named “SAN XIA YI HAO,” is designed for routine inspections in the Three Gorges Reservoir area. It will support water environment monitoring and geological disaster prevention research.
The vessel is 56.7 meters long, with a beam of 9.8 meters, depth of 3.5 meters, and draft of 2.1 meters. It can travel at speeds up to 24 km/h and accommodate seven crew members and 30 researchers.
It is equipped with sampling rooms, laboratories, and seminar rooms, and can autonomously monitor 11 water indicators during navigation. The data gathered can be transferred to onshore labs in real-time.
Additional features include a 3-ton hydraulic crane for modular equipment loading, hydraulic arms capable of collecting samples from depths of 200 meters, and a drone helipad.
Once operational, SAN XIA YI HAO will provide comprehensive monitoring from the air, water surface, and underwater, contributing to reservoir management and ecological protection in the Three Gorges Reservoir area.
