China carries out historical deep-sea research in Indian Ocean

Expedition vessel Tansuo-1 heads back to Sanya after a 121-day trip. [Photo by Guo Cheng/news.cn]

The Chinese manned submersible Shenhai Yongshi, or Deep Sea Warrior, along with its mother ship Tansuo-1, finished a 121-day expedition of over 17,000 nautical miles and returned to her home port in Sanya, Hainan province on March 10.

The first-ever research expedition to the southwest and central Indian Ocean, organized by the Institute of Deep-sea Science and Engineering of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, has accomplished a deep-sea investigation of five hot liquid zones and two anomaly areas.

Researchers have also captured high-resolution footage of hydrothermal movement on the seabed and collected a large number of biological samples of significant scientific value for the study of submarine hydrothermal circulation systems and deep sea evolution.

During the mission, lasting from Nov 10, 2018 to March 10, 2019, the submersible conducted a total of 62 diving expeditions in hot liquid zones in the southwest and central Indian Ocean, and set a new record by diving 25 times in one month last December.

In the geologically complex seabed, the submersible demonstrated its accuracy and precision through a series of deep-sea research missions that consisted of tracking objects and performing submarine rescues. The exploratory voyage achieved major breakthroughs and raised China's manned deep-sea diving capacity to a world-class level.

The Chinese manned submersible Shenhai Yongshi, or Deep Sea Warrior, is secured at her home port in Sanya, Hainan province. [Photo by Guo Cheng/news.cn]

Tansuo-1, a mother-ship for the Shenhai Yongshi, pulls up to the Sanya Port in Hainan province. [Photo by Guo Cheng/news.cn]