China sub 'Jiaolong' sets sail for 7000 metre dive

An oceanographic ship carrying China's manned deep-sea submersible, the Jiaolong, has set sail for the Mariana Trench in the Pacific Ocean. The ship plans to reach the trench on June 10th and begin preparation for the 7,000 meter dive. A ceremony is held at Sunan port to bid farewell to Jiaolong and its mother ship. Before the departure, Professor Cui Weicheng , Jiaolong's deputy chief designer, described the technology behind the vessel. Cui Weicheng , Jiaolong's deputy chief designer, said, "Jiaolong boasts free hovering capability under the sea. Its propellers are highly advanced. It doesn't need any outside support to stay still. This makes the undersea operation much more convenient." In March this year, Hollywood director James Cameron dived to the bottom of the Mariana Trench. He spoke to Professor Cui and expressed his interest in Jiaolong. But Professor Cui pointed out that there is a big difference between Cameron’s one-man submersible and Jiaolong. Cui Weicheng , Jiaolong's deputy chief designer, said, "Cameron's submersible only allows one person in it, and it's mainly for personal adventure. Jiaolong is much bigger and capable of carrying out comprehensive scientific research under the ocean. They are different. But Cameron's submersible has more advanced lights and cameras, and we should learn from that." Fully equipped and well prepared, the mother ship disappears into the horizon. Jiaolong is expected to go 7,000 meters under the surface of the Pacific Ocean between mid-June and early July. Hu Chao, Jiangyin reported, "If it succeeds, China will become one of the few countries in the world to have independently developed this kind of deep water technology. Experts say that this will greatly raise China's competitiveness in the marine economy."