At 2:00 pm on July 10, 2018, Xiangyanghong 01, the most advanced marine comprehensive research ship, set out from Qingdao Aoshanwei National Deep Sea Base Management Center for the Western Pacific to carry out survey tasks.  

At the pre-cruise mobilization meeting, Zhang Zhiping, deputy director of the Ship Management Center read out the approval on establishing the temporary Party branch for the Western Pacific Submarine Topography and Geophysics cruise. Zheng Yanpeng, deputy director of Laboratory of Marine Geology and Geophysics, encouraged the participants to overcome difficulties and make as many achievements as possible. He wished the smooth return of the participants upon completion of the tasks.  

Director Li Tiegang delivered an important speech at the mobilization meeting. Director Li said it is inseparable from the efforts of all the staff that Xiangyanghong 01 could successfully complete the China's First Global Marine Comprehensive Research cruise, the medium-term dock repair, and other major and arduous tasks, and that he hereby thanked all the staff on behalf of the leaders of the institute. Director Li emphasized that July and August are typhoon-prone, and it is necessary to pay close attention to weather changes and avoid risks to ensure a smooth cruise.  

 

Director Li Tiegang delivers a speech at the pre-cruise mobilization meeting

Li Anhu, director of the Office, Wang Yonggang, deputy director of the Department of Science and Technology, all staff of the Ship Management Center and family members of the participants also came to see them off despite the rain. After the mobilization and send-off, Xiangyanghong 01 slowly left the deep sea base and went to Jiaozhou Bay in Qingdao for refueling. It will then be bound for the operation area to carry out survey tasks.

 

Xiangyanghong 01 leaves the Deep Sea Base

At 1:40 pm, Xiangyanghong 18 also sailed from the Deep Sea Base to Jiaozhou Bay to refuel and prepare for bad weather to ensure safe operation.