Jiaolong to take public on deep-sea adventures
Source: Xinhua |
June 25, 2013, Tuesday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
CHINA'S Jiaolong submersible, designed for scientific research, may one day be used to take diving enthusiasts to the ocean depths.
The sub may be used for commercial activities while it is not on duty, according to Liu Feng, chief commander of a trial dive mission that began on June 11.
Diving in Jiaolong is a luxury that "cannot be free to the public like parks or museums," Liu said, adding that the cost of each tour may not be known until the sub goes into regular operation.
Its current mission, with scientists as crew members, is the start of a five-year trial period for biological surveys and geological sampling in the South China Sea.
High-definition video images acquired by Jiaolong showing brown mussels some 1,300 meters under water have been described by scientists as "spectacular."
"We've never had the chance to obtain deep-sea samples before. It was quite a rare opportunity for me," said Qiu Jianwen, an assistant professor of biology from Hong Kong Baptist University who was on board.
Meanwhile, the National Deep Sea Center is seeking candidates to become oceanauts.
NDSC director Liu Feng said 180 candidates, who must be Chinese citizens, will have to pass several tests before six oceanauts, including two females, are selected.
The sub may be used for commercial activities while it is not on duty, according to Liu Feng, chief commander of a trial dive mission that began on June 11.
Diving in Jiaolong is a luxury that "cannot be free to the public like parks or museums," Liu said, adding that the cost of each tour may not be known until the sub goes into regular operation.
Its current mission, with scientists as crew members, is the start of a five-year trial period for biological surveys and geological sampling in the South China Sea.
High-definition video images acquired by Jiaolong showing brown mussels some 1,300 meters under water have been described by scientists as "spectacular."
"We've never had the chance to obtain deep-sea samples before. It was quite a rare opportunity for me," said Qiu Jianwen, an assistant professor of biology from Hong Kong Baptist University who was on board.
Meanwhile, the National Deep Sea Center is seeking candidates to become oceanauts.
NDSC director Liu Feng said 180 candidates, who must be Chinese citizens, will have to pass several tests before six oceanauts, including two females, are selected.
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