A new vessel intended for boosting underwater archaeological search activities will be ready by the end of 2013 to set sail in the Chinese waters, China Daily reports citing a statement of State Administration of Cultural Heritage (SACH).
The challenging 80 million yuan ($12.8 million) task of constructing the 860-ton vessel has been entrusted to the Dongfeng Shipbuilding Corporation based in Chongqing.
Designed by the 701 Research Institute of China Shipbuilding Industry Corporation it will be the first of its kind in the Chinese fleet. Featuring 4.8 meters in width and 56 meters in length, the ship will be powered by an integrated full electric propulsion system.
The ship will integrate information technology outfitted to detect, confirm and locate underwater relics along with relevant information necessary for retrieval of found artefacts.
The vessel will be used in China’s coastal areas its main task being protection of the nation’s underwater cultural heritage, officials with the heritage administration said.
[mappress] Shipbuilding Tribune Staff, October 26, 2012