China’s manned deep-sea submersible, Jiaolong, marked a significant milestone on Sunday by completing its 300th dive since its maiden mission in August 2009.
Embarking on the first of 18 planned dives in an extensive scientific expedition, a crew comprising one scientist and two submariners descended into the depths of the Western Pacific Ocean.
Carried by China’s research vessel Deep Sea No. 1, Jiaolong is accompanied by an international team of scientists from China, Canada, Spain, and Colombia. The ship departed from Qingdao, a coastal city in east China’s Shandong Province, on August 10.
Over the course of a 45-day expedition in the Western Pacific, Jiaolong is set to collect samples of deep-sea organisms, seawater, and sediment. The mission aims to enhance understanding of the unique ecosystems and environments surrounding seamounts.
Organized by the China Ocean Mineral Resources Research and Development Association under the Ministry of Natural Resources and implemented by the National Deep Sea Center, this mission underscores China’s commitment to deep-sea exploration and scientific research.
Jiaolong, China’s first independently designed and integrated 7,000-meter-class manned submersible, has been a pioneer in deep-sea exploration. Since 2009, it has ventured into the depths of the Pacific Ocean, Indian Ocean, and Atlantic Ocean, enabling 900 trips down into the deep sea.
In June 2012, Jiaolong set a national diving record by reaching a depth of 7,062 meters in the Mariana Trench, demonstrating the submersible’s remarkable capabilities.
With its 300th dive now accomplished, Jiaolong continues to contribute significantly to marine science, fostering international collaboration and advancing knowledge of the deep-sea frontier.
Reference(s):
China's Jiaolong manned deep-sea submersible completes 300th dive
cgtn.com
