Managed by the China Maritime Safety Administration (MSA), the MV Haixun 01 was officially put into service in April this year and is the first Chinese patrol vessel to simultaneously incorporate marine inspection and rescue functions.
It will arrive at Sydney’s Garden Island this Saturday, 22 June. The Haixun 01 is 128.6 metres in length, has a maximum sailing distance of 18,520km without refueling and can accommodate up to 200 people rescued at sea.
The vessel is also fitted with equipment to offer basic treatment and surgery to injured persons, has a helipad and helicopter, and is able to tow and put out fires on ships.
Personnel from the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) will meet with MSA personnel and the crew of the Haixun 01 throughout their visit to Australia to view their equipment and procedures, discuss and exchange information on search and rescue operations and marine inspection, and undertake a desktop search and rescue exercise on Wednesday, 26 June.
AMSA Chief Executive Officer Graham Peachey said AMSA is committed to forging close working relationships with its partners in the Asia-Pacific region and the visit of the Haixun 01 clearly shows the close collaboration between Australia and China on maritime safety.
“This visit further builds on a 2008 agreement formalising a closer relationship between AMSA and the China Maritime Safety Administration, which agreed to closer cooperation and information sharing in areas of common interest including training, port state control, international issues and search and rescue between the two agencies,” Mr Peachey said.
“The visit of the Haixun 01 will give AMSA personnel the chance to exchange information with and learn from our Chinese counterparts,” he said.
The Haixun 01 will be docked at Garden Island in Sydney between 22-28 June. The ship will then head north and dock in Cairns for four days from 2 July to coincide with the Asia-Pacific Heads of Maritime Safety Agencies (APHoMSA) forum, which is being hosted by AMSA.
APHoMSA provides an opportunity for maritime agencies from countries across the Asia-Pacific region to share information on matters of mutual interest including regional cooperation, protecting the marine environment, safety at sea, and search and rescue. More than 20 countries across the Asia-Pacific region will be involved in the forum, which runs from 1-4 July.
Media Note: Media are invited to attend the welcome ceremony for the Haixun 01 from 10am on Saturday, 22 June. Access can be arranged by contacting AMSA Media. Media representatives will require photo ID and flat, enclosed shoes to enter the Garden Island facility where the Haixun 01 is berthed. Tours of the Haixun 01 can also be arranged on Wednesday, 26 June.
Contact AMSA Media on 1300 624 633 or 0429 504 267 for details.