China has added a newly built medium-sized marine rescue vessel to its national maritime emergency-response fleet, strengthening rescue capabilities in the northern waters.

The Beihai Jiu 151, a 4,000-kilowatt rescue vessel designed and constructed domestically, officially entered service with the Beihai Rescue Bureau under China’s Ministry of Transport on September 21, 2026. Chinese state broadcaster CCTV reported that the vessel is the first medium-sized marine rescue ship specifically developed for the northern sea area.

The vessel was designed around the geographical and operational characteristics of northern Chinese waters, with its deployment intended to expand the region’s emergency maritime-response capacity.

A Vessel Designed for Northern Waters

The Beihai Jiu 151 is described as a 4,000-kilowatt medium-sized ocean rescue vessel. Its design is based on the experience of an earlier 4,000-kilowatt rescue-vessel series while incorporating additional capabilities for northern operating conditions.

Earlier technical information released during the vessel’s construction said the ship was developed as an ice-strengthened rescue vessel. It is designed to support lifesaving operations in coastal waterways, around islands and reefs, and in other relatively shallow waters, while also being capable of operating during more challenging sea conditions.

The vessel measures approximately 69.5 meters in length and 14.6 meters in beam, according to shipbuilding information published during its launch.

Multiple Rescue Functions

The Beihai Jiu 151 was developed as a multifunctional emergency-response platform rather than a vessel limited to a single rescue role.

Its reported capabilities include:

• Maritime lifesaving
• Vessel towing and salvage
• External firefighting
• Search and rescue during fog and at night
• Underwater rescue operations
• Emergency response in challenging sea conditions
• Oil-spill response and firefighting capabilities
• Operations in moderate ice conditions

The ship uses an all-electric propulsion system and is equipped with azimuthing propulsion units and a DP-2 dynamic positioning system, according to technical information released when the vessel was launched.

Dynamic positioning can help a vessel maintain its position with a high degree of control during specialized maritime operations, an important capability when rescue crews need to work close to damaged vessels or other hazards.

Strengthening Northern Maritime Rescue Coverage

The vessel’s entry into service is particularly significant because it is described by Chinese authorities as the first medium-sized marine rescue vessel serving the northern sea area.

China’s Ministry of Transport rescue system operates vessels of different sizes and capabilities to respond to maritime emergencies. The addition of a medium-sized vessel is intended to improve the distribution of rescue resources and strengthen coverage between larger and smaller rescue assets.

The Beihai Rescue Bureau’s new vessel is therefore expected to contribute to a more flexible emergency-response network in northern waters.

Built With Domestic Technology

Chinese reports say that the vessel’s core equipment is 100% domestically produced.

The ship was independently designed by the Shanghai Merchant Ship Design & Research Institute (SDARI) and constructed by CSSC Huangpu Wenchong Shipbuilding Company. Earlier reports identified it as the third vessel in the 4,000-kilowatt medium-sized marine rescue series.

The vessel was launched in April 2026 before completing further testing and preparation for operational deployment. Huangpu Wenchong subsequently reported that the ship was delivered on August 28.

China Classification Society records list BEI HAI JIU 151 as a Chinese-flagged rescue and firefighting vessel, with a gross tonnage of approximately 2,341 tonnes and the Beihai Rescue Bureau of the Ministry of Transport identified as its owner.

Ice-Strengthened Design for Winter Operations

One of the vessel’s distinctive features is its adaptation for northern maritime conditions.

The ship was designed with B2-level ice strengthening, allowing it to undertake rescue operations in moderate ice conditions. This capability is particularly relevant for winter operations in northern waters, where sea ice can complicate emergency-response missions.

Ice-strengthened construction can provide additional protection and structural capability when a vessel operates in areas where floating or partially formed ice is present.

Equipped for Search and Rescue

Search-and-rescue operations can become considerably more complicated during darkness, fog, poor visibility and severe weather.

The Beihai Jiu 151’s reported operational profile includes nighttime and fog search-and-rescue missions, alongside underwater rescue and towing operations. Its combination of propulsion, positioning and rescue equipment is intended to allow crews to perform different types of emergency missions from a single platform.

The vessel has also been reported as carrying a new unmanned rescue boat, which can support activities including diving-training operations and searches along predetermined routes.

Part of a Broader Maritime Rescue Network

The new vessel is being integrated into a wider modernization effort involving China’s maritime search-and-rescue system.

The delivery of the Beihai Jiu 151 was described by its builder as part of efforts to develop a rescue fleet combining large, medium and small vessels, enabling different assets to cover different distances and operational requirements.

Other vessels from the same general 4,000-kilowatt rescue-vessel program have also entered service in China’s southern maritime rescue system.

This approach allows rescue authorities to deploy an appropriately sized vessel depending on the nature and location of an emergency.

Why the Vessel Matters

Maritime emergencies can involve disabled commercial ships, collisions, fires, people falling overboard, vessels requiring towing or accidents in difficult weather conditions.

A dedicated rescue ship with multiple capabilities can serve as an important first-response asset in such situations.

The Beihai Jiu 151’s northern-oriented design adds another layer of specialization to China’s maritime rescue fleet, particularly for operations where shallow waters, winter conditions, reduced visibility or moderate sea ice may create additional challenges.

From Shipyard to Operational Service

The vessel’s development progressed through several major stages during 2026.

It was launched in April after being designed by SDARI and constructed by Huangpu Wenchong. Technical reports highlighted its all-electric propulsion, DP-2 positioning system and ice-strengthened structure.

By August 28, the ship had completed construction and was delivered from the shipyard.

On September 21, it officially joined the fleet of the Ministry of Transport’s Beihai Rescue Bureau, marking the transition from shipbuilding and testing to operational deployment.

A New Asset for Maritime Emergency Response

The entry of the Beihai Jiu 151 adds a specialized medium-sized platform to China’s northern maritime rescue capabilities.

With a 4,000-kilowatt propulsion system, multifunctional rescue equipment, dynamic positioning, ice-strengthened construction and reported domestic production of its core equipment, the vessel has been designed around the practical demands of maritime emergency operations.

Its commissioning also demonstrates how modern rescue fleets are increasingly combining mobility, specialized equipment, positioning technology and regional adaptation rather than relying solely on conventional rescue ships.

As the Beihai Jiu 151 begins operational duties, its primary role will be responding to emergencies and supporting maritime safety across northern waters as part of China’s broader search-and-rescue network.