The Fendouzhe (Striver) is the first Chinese Manned Submersible that can operate at the bottom of the sea, said the chief designer of the submersible vessel. It has been hailed as a demonstration of China’s scientific and technological innovation.
The chief designer, Ye Cong, is a member of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC). He was speaking at the “Members’ Corridor” on the fringes of the “Two Sessions,” CGTN reported.
Ye briefed reporters, “The Fendouzhe has dived 230 times into the ocean in the previous four years.” “We collected a great amount of treasured data. It will be a basis for human research of the deep sea.” The vessel can transport three individuals to the deepest point in the ocean.
He said three Chinese submersibles had completed over half of the world’s deep-diving missions in the previous three years. The other two Chinese submersibles, along with the Fendouzhe (The Striver), are the Jiaolong (Flood Dragon) and the Shenhai Yongshi (Deep-sea Warrior). They have managed to hog the limelight.
China’s deep-sea manned submersible, Jiaolong, completed its first dives in the Atlantic last month. By February 23, Jiaolong had explored many hydrothermal zones. They had made over 23 successful dives in the southern Atlantic.
About 300 biological and geological samples were gathered in the mission. In addition to 4 gigabytes of environmental data and visual elements.
Using manned submersibles, marine scientists can observe and collect samples of creatures in their native environments while conducting investigations in biology, chemistry, geochemistry, geology, and geophysics. These small vehicles depend on research vessels for upkeep, dive preparation, transportation, related equipment, operators, and scientists researching at the study location.
The demand for manned submersibles will persist in science despite remarkable advancements in unoccupied vehicle capabilities. Including autonomous and remotely operated models. China has taken it upon itself to appear as a leader in deep-sea exploration. The Fendouzhe and its two sister ships are helping that effort.
Fendouzhe, A Chinese Marvel
Fendouzhe hit fame in 2020 when it dived into the deepest underwater valley in the world, Mariana Trench. China live-streamed footage of the submersible parked at the base of the trench.
According to state broadcaster CCTV, three researchers were on board the Fendouzhe, which sank over 10,000 meters, roughly 33,000 feet, into the submarine trench in the western Pacific Ocean. The Chinese submersible sailed through the murky water, surrounded by clouds of silt as it gradually reached the bottom.
The achievement was exemplary, given that few people have ever set foot on the bottom of the Mariana Trench. A crescent-shaped depression spanning more than 2,550 kilometers and more in-depth than Mount Everest in the Earth’s crust.
With this, China effectively investigated the region known as the “fourth pole of the Earth,.” Which is also one of the planet’s most hostile environments.
The vessel has also undertaken some important joint missions. One such mission was in 2022 when for the first time. Two manned submersibles, the Fendouzhe and the Shenhai Yongshi (Deep-sea Warrior), operated together on set missions in the South China Sea at a depth of 1,500 meters.
The Fendouzhe and the Shenhai Yongshi finished several tasks, including voice communication, target search and recovery, underwater real-time positioning, quick mobility, and collaborative activities.
The cooperative effort also enabled a mother ship supporting scientific research to ensure the concurrent diving of the two manned submersibles. Lower operating and maintenance expenses while enhancing Chinese submersibles’ operational efficiency and ability.
Historic Trench Dive Ushers in Deep-Sea Era
This marked the first occasion in human history that a submersible reached the trench’s lowest point. Speeding up research into the trench system and being seen as vital for advancing global abyssal science.
Speaking about the Fendouzhe, Ye told reporters: “In the future, we will try to contribute more to human exploration and protection of the ocean.”.
In addition to its three manned submersibles, China presently operates several unmanned submersibles, including the Hailong. The nation has formed a full-depth deep submersible system in the preliminary stage. It has extremely advanced deep-sea equipment technology.
