Development of Maritime Search, Rescue and Salvage Equipment

Abstract

Maritime search, rescue, and salvage, as the last line of defense for maritime safety, provide a reliable guarantee for the construction of a national transport system and the sustainable development of marine economy. Maritime search, rescue, and salvage equipment is an important support to fulfil public welfare duties regarding life, environment, property rescue, and emergency recovery and salvage, and to guarantee the security of a national maritime logistics supply chain. This study summarizes the global development status of maritime search, rescue, and salvage equipment as well as the research and application progress of these equipment in China from four aspects: (1) target search, location, and detection equipment, (2) life rescue equipment, (3) environment rescue equipment, and (4) salvage engineering equipment. China still lags behind developed countries regarding the maritime search, rescue, and salvage equipment in terms of search and positioning equipment, life rescue capabilities, hazardous chemical disposal capabilities, and the ability to salvage large-tonnage sunken vessels. Therefore, we propose the following suggestions to promote the high-quality development of the maritime search, rescue and salvage equipment in China: (1) increasing investment in the research and development of key equipment, (2) promoting the upgrading of these equipment, (3) strengthening the innovation capabilities of the country to enhance the intelligence level of these equipment, (4) establishing major research projects, and (5) providing industrial policy support.

Keywords

• maritime search, rescue and salvage
• target search and localization
• life rescue
• environmental rescue
• heave compensation technology