Ningbo Beilun Maritime Search and Rescue Center Established

On the morning of August 14, the inauguration ceremony of the Beilun District Maritime Search and Rescue Center was held at the Ningbo Beilun Maritime Office, marking a new phase of systematization and standardization in maritime emergency rescue work in Beilun District. This provides a critical safeguard for the safe operation of one of the world's busiest waterways in the core port area of Ningbo-Zhoushan Port.

The center is a coordinating body under the leadership of the Beilun District Government, specifically responsible for handling maritime emergencies across the district. It also receives operational guidance from the Ningbo Maritime Search and Rescue Center. The center's office is located at the Ningbo Beilun Maritime Office and oversees five search and rescue bases in Beilun, Meishan, Chuanshan, Daxie, and Baifeng. Currently, 43 member units, including maritime, emergency, public security, agriculture and rural affairs, coast guard, transportation, meteorology, and local street offices, have joined forces at the center. In the event of a maritime accident or emergency within its jurisdiction, the center will immediately activate an emergency response, coordinating and directing all parties to carry out rescue operations.

As the "main engine" of Ningbo-Zhoushan Port, Beilun Port District is projected to handle 610 million tons of cargo and 38.63 million TEUs of containers by 2025, accounting for 43% and 88% of Ningbo-Zhoushan Port's total volume, respectively. With an average daily vessel traffic exceeding 1,000, it is one of the most densely trafficked maritime areas along China's coast. Behind this high-density navigation lie complex safety challenges: spring fog enveloping the sea, summer and autumn typhoons, frequent winter gales, sudden severe convective weather, and the dense convergence of commercial and fishing vessels, all of which heighten the risk of ship collisions and other accidents.

"In the past, when emergencies occurred, although there were various rescue resources such as maritime and emergency services, we had to contact each department individually. Now, with a unified command platform and procedural mechanism, the response speed will be significantly improved," said Shen Zhongping, Director of the Beilun Maritime Office. Focusing on the three core goals of "visibility, prevention, and rapid rescue," the Beilun District Maritime Search and Rescue Center has established a three-dimensional and intelligent emergency support system. This system ensures full coverage of radar, VHF, and video surveillance across the entire port area and key waterways, with routine drone patrols and inspections to ensure early detection, early warning, and early response to emergencies. The district also houses a national-level oil spill emergency equipment depot and collaborates with two oil spill emergency joint defense units, enabling effective responses to maritime oil spill incidents. In terms of rescue capabilities, the center has integrated nine maritime patrol boats, two specialized rescue boats, 53 harbor tugboats, and 18 volunteer teams, achieving a combination of professional and community-based rapid response.

The establishment of the Beilun District Maritime Search and Rescue Center is not just the birth of an institution but also an upgrade in the safety governance capabilities of the core port area. From scattered resources to unified command, from reactive responses to proactive prevention, the combined strength of 43 units, along with the synergy of technological equipment and professional teams, is providing a more solid safety foundation for this waterway, which is vital to global trade. This ensures steady progress in building a world-class strong port.