Modifications for China’s first manned submersible capable of reaching 4,500 meters and its mother ship, Tansuo-1, were completed on May 5 before arriving at Sanya in South China’s Hainan province on May 8. With a length of 94.45 meters and width of 17.9 meters, the Tansuo-1 has a full-load displacement of 6,250 tons. As the mother ship of the manned submersible, Tansuo-1 will be on sea trials and deep-sea operation of a manned and unmanned submersible capable of diving to depths of 10,000 meters.

The Tansuo-1 research vessel comes equipped with an A-shaped frame with a lifting capacity of 150 tons.[Photo/Xinhua]

The Tansuo-1’s 13,000-meter cable will be used for expedition missions, including geological sampling.[Photo/Xinhua]

The manned submersible will be stored in this area. [Photo/Xinhua]

A staffer operates the Tansuo-1 research vessel on May 10, 2016.[Photo/Xinhua]