The "Ocean One" in the old captain's diary marks the starting point of my country's ocean-going scientific research!

Model of the research vessel "Dayang No.1"

The "Ocean No. 1" oceanographic research vessel is China's first modern comprehensive ocean-going scientific research vessel. It can carry out marine geological and geophysical surveys and experiments, and is also the main ship for China's ocean-going scientific surveys.

The predecessor of "Dayang No.1" was "Geologist Peter Andropov" built in the former Soviet Union's Black Sea Shipyard in 1984. With the growing demand for the development of my country's marine industry, deep-sea scientific exploration has become particularly important. In July 1994, the former China Ocean Mineral Resources Research and Development Association purchased the ship from the Russian Far East Marine Geological Survey. Managed by the South China Sea Branch of the State Oceanic Administration, the ship was named "Dayang No.1" after a preliminary modification at Guangzhou Wenchong Shipyard in 1995, and its home port is located in Qingdao.

The "Ocean No. 1" is 104.5 meters long, 16 meters wide, 33 meters high from the bottom of the ship to the mast, 5,600 tons, and has a displacement of 4,412 tons. It has scientific research conditions in multiple disciplines such as marine geology, marine geophysics, marine chemistry, marine biology, physical oceanography, and marine hydroacoustics. It can undertake surveys and tests in the areas of seabed topography, gravity and magnetism, geology and structure, comprehensive marine environment, marine engineering, and deep-sea technology and equipment. The "Ocean No. 1" has successively carried out multiple ocean survey voyages for the China Ocean Mineral Resources Research and Development Special Project and multiple voyages for continental shelf exploration, making contributions to China's ocean scientific research.

Original typescript of the diary of the captain of the Ocean One

Tianjin National Maritime Museum is fortunate to have collected and exhibited the original printed draft of the captain’s diary of the “Ocean One” oceanographic research vessel, the model of the “Ocean One” research vessel, and the commemorative cover of the “Ocean One”’s first global scientific expedition.

"Ocean One" Global Expedition Commemorative Envelope

The diary of the captain of the ocean scientific research ship "Ocean No. 1" is a comprehensive, true and specific record of the process of my country's first global ocean scientific research by the captain of "Ocean No. 1", Lu Huisheng. In April 2005, "Ocean No. 1" set sail from Qingdao and began to carry out China's first global ocean scientific research mission, passing through the Panama Canal, Cape of Good Hope, and Strait of Malacca, crossing the Pacific, Atlantic and Indian Oceans, and returned to Qingdao in January 2006, completing the entire journey of my country's first global ocean scientific research. The diary of the captain of the ocean scientific research ship "Ocean No. 1" not only allows readers to have a deeper understanding of the "Ocean No. 1" ocean scientific research ship itself, but also allows readers to appreciate every bit of marine scientific research work and life through delicate and detailed text descriptions. For example, there is a passage that reads, "I am the commander-in-chief of this life-saving emergency drill, responsible for directing the crew members on the bridge to familiarize themselves with the drill as soon as possible. Upon hearing the alarm, all the crew members rushed to the deck. In just three minutes, they put on life jackets and helmets, and took blankets, important documents and other items, making all preparations for 'abandoning ship and saving lives'. After the headcount was completed, the crew members boarded two lifeboats and practiced repeatedly several times. The crew members were familiar with the life-saving actions and scenes." Just a few words outlined the scene of the simulated life-saving at that time, allowing us to feel the meticulous work style of the scientific expedition team members, their strong sense of safety, and their meticulous practice. The captain's diary of the "Ocean One" marine scientific research ship is a complete on-site record, which is a good way to popularize and spread global scientific research knowledge to the audience. It involves rich marine information and has certain historical value.

These objects lead us to look back at the fruitful results of the first global voyage of Ocean No. 1. The harvest exceeded initial expectations. First, sulfide, rock, sediment, biological and other physical samples were obtained near the seafloor hydrothermal vents in the target areas of the three oceans; second, obvious hydrothermal anomalies were detected in the eastern Pacific and southwestern Indian Oceans, which pointed out the direction for the future search for seafloor sulfide resources; it also promoted the development of ocean science research and provided the possibility of discovering new biological genetic resources.

The scientific research achievements made by "Ocean No. 1" are a testimony to the development of China's marine industry. As a blue treasure house, the ocean has rich natural resources and an important strategic position. "Ocean No. 1" also inspires the public to understand China's blue land and enhance our awareness of loving the ocean and protecting our blue home.