China sends first patrol ship to West Phl Sea

MANILA, Philippines - China sent yesterday the first oceangoing patrol vessel equipped with a helipad to the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea), Chinese state-run media Xinhua reported yesterday.

The report said the vessel, Haixun 21, is the first of its kind to be put into service in the West Philippine Sea and will be under the administration of the Hainan Maritime Safety Administration.

Huang He, deputy head of the maritime bureau of the Ministry of Transport, said

Haixun 21 will monitor maritime traffic safety, investigate maritime accidents, detect pollution, carry out search and rescue work and fulfill international conventions.

“In the past, Hainan provincial maritime law enforcement entities could only cover coastal waters and never reached the high seas,” said Ruan Ruiwen, of the Hainan Maritime Safety Administration.

“The newly enlisted Haixun 21 ends the history of no large oceangoing patrol vessels in South China Sea,” Ruan said.

According to the report, Haixun 21 was put into use in 2002.

It is 93.2 meters long with a maximum sailing distance of 4,000 nautical miles (7,408 kilometers) without refueling. Its maximum sailing speed is 22 knots (40.74 kilometers per hour).

The helipad, located at the stern, is about 21 meters long and 11 meters wide.