At Shanghai Waigaoqiao rescue base, two "Tumbler" high-speed rescue boats introduced from Britain's Royal National Lifeboat Institute (RNLI) formally joined China's maritime rescue force.

This is the first time China introduced advanced foreign boats for maritime rescue. These two boats will be allocated in East China Sea for maritime rescue missions.

As said in relevant cooperation agreements between the Ministry of Communications' (MOC) rescue and salvage department and RNLI, in the next five years, the British party will sell to China another five rescue boats with discounts, provide relevant technological training for China's professional rescue force according to the actual demand, and strengthen cooperation between professional rescue and salvage forces of the two sides.

These two rescue boats introduced from RNLI are all-weather maritime life rescue boats specially designed for maritime rescue missions. They boast unique design and outstanding performance with a speed of 18 knots. Even when thrown over by extremely bad conditions on the sea, they can automatically return erect in 10 seconds, with 43 on board. That is why they are called "Tumblers."

The rescue and salvage force under the MOC rescue and salvage department is China's only national professional rescue and salvage force. It is responsible for emergency reaction upon maritime accidents, life rescue, ship and property salvage, sunk ship and property refloatation, maritime firefighting, oil pollution clean-up, maritime transport and resource development security on China's maritime territory.

As one of the world's most powerful professional rescue force, the MOC rescue and salvage department possesses a fleet of 140 various ships, 6 helicopters and one fixed wing aircraft. By the end of 2004, the department had saved 2,706 ships and more than 30,000 lives, nearly 6,000 of whom are foreigners.
 
(Chinanews.cn November 14, 2005)