China to Update Maritime Rescue System

The China Rescue and Salvage Bureau announced plans to updated offshore rescue Operational by 2010, the new system will mean rescue vessels will be able to reach any spot within 50 nautical miles of the coast in two and a half hours, cutting reaction time by an hour from present. Helicopters will be able to search for and rescue targets at night, expanding the offshore search radius from 110 to 260 nautical miles.

Also, rescuers will be able to salvage ships weighing 50,000 tons. The bureau revealed the measures, to be taken in its 11th Five Year plan (2006-10), at a press conference yesterday in Beijing to mark the 55th anniversary of its establishment.

According to the plan, new rescue vessels will be purchased to build a fleet of 56 rescue tugboats with different sizes and functions. Source: China Daily