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Type 645 Oceanographic Survey Ship (Type 813 Ocean Electronic Surveillance Ship)
The Type 645 is the oceanographic survey ship developed by the 708 Institute in the 1970s for the State Oceanic Administration (SOA). The ship was designed for scientific researches in marine hydrology, physics, marine meteorology, marine chemistry, marine geology, geomorphology, biology, etc. If necessary, the ship could also be used for military roles such as logistic support and intelligence. The first hull Xiangyanghong 9 was built in 1978, followed by two more hulls in the early 1980s. The fourth hull is operated by the PLA Navy for the electronic surveillance role.
Design
The Type 645 has a full displacement of 4,435 tonnes. The main propulsion consists of two indigenous 9ESDZ43/82B diesel engines rated at 4,500hp (3,308kW), and four 640hp (470kW) diesel engines. The ship has a top speed of 18 knots, and a maximum range of 10,000nm (at 14 knots speed). The ship can travel in complex sea conditions and Class 4 ice-covered waters, and has a maximum endurance of 60 days.
The ship has 16 laboratories, with a total area of 267 square metres; a 66 square metres specimen compartment, and a 84 square metres spare part compartment. A total of 12 special winches of various purposes are installed on the deck. The ship was equipped with China’s first 10,000m depth sounder, and the most advanced meteorology, communications, navigations, and scientific research equipments.
Xiangyanghong 9
Construction of the first-of-class Xiangyanghong 9 began in October 1977 at Shanghai-based Hudong Shipyard (now Hudong-Zhonghua Shipyard), and the ship was delivered in December 1978. The ship was seriously damaged by a fire accident in December 1981, and was refurbished in 1982. Operated by the North Sea Branch of the National Oceanographic Bureau, Xiangyanghong 09 has taken part in a number of important scientific research projects.
Xiangyanghong 14
The second hull of the Type 645, Xiangyanghong 14, was built in 1981. The ship has been operated by the South Sea Branch of the National Oceanographic Bureau for scientific research purpose.
Xiangyanghong 16
The third hull Xiangyanghong 16 was also built in 1981. On 2 May 1993, the ship collided with a Cyprus-registered 38,000t cargo ship Silver Horn at N 29°12′ E 124°28 near Chinese coast. Xiangyanghong 16 suffered from serious damage caused by the collision, and sank in the East China Sea at 05:37 AM local time, killing three crew members onboard.
Xiangyanghong 21 (V350, NANDIAO 350)
In 1976, the Central Military Commission (CMC) and the State Council approved the building of Type 813 ocean electronic surveillance ship based on the Type 645 oceanographic survey ship design. No.708 Institute carried out the design work between 1977 and 1980, and Hudong Shipyard completed the construction of the ship in September 1980. Officially named Xiangyanghong 21, the ship was delivered to the PLA Navy in November 1982. The tests of the onboard electronic systems were carried out in March~April 1983.
Although the ship received the name of Xiangyanghong like other oceanographic survey ships of the same class, it was known as V350 or NANDIAO 350 in the PLA Navy. Operated by the PLA South Sea Fleet based at Zhanjiang, Xiangyanghong 21 was the PLA Navy’s first electronic surveillance ship with ocean operation capability.
Specifications
Crew: 150
Length: 112.05m
Beam: 15.20m
Draft: 5.50m
Full displacement: 4,435 tonnes
Propulsions: 2 X 9ESDZ43/82B diesel, at 4,500hp (3,308kW);
4 X diesel, at 640hp (470kW)
Speed: 18.2 knots
Range: 10,000nm @ 14 knots
Endurance: 60 days
Last update: 5 October 2008 |
