China's most highly technology-equipped ship used for scientific research purpose, "Science III," was put to trial use last week in Wuchang, central China's Hubei Province. It is the first ship built by China over the last decade that is designed for carrying out science research in oceans. It represents the highest technological level of China's marine science research ship.

Science III was built by the Wuchang Ship Building Manufacturing Base under the request of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. With a length of 73.3 meters, a width of 10.2 meters and a weight of 1,000 tons, the ship can travel several thousands of nautical miles at one time and is used mainly for carrying out comprehensive scientific researches in the offshore regions. The ship will be launched to formal use in June 2006 after it was tested systematically.

As the most technologically advanced ship in China, Science III is very flexible at moving. It can turn 360 degrees in water and will become an ice-breaker if necessary. Through the sauna system equipped on the ship, it can explore and scan the status under sea. The environment monitoring system on the ship can indicate the depth, salinity, temperature and the turbidity of the ocean.

(Chinanews.cn February 7, 2006)