Chinese Maritime Safety Ship Makes First Ever US Visit
Chinese Maritime Safety Administration ship 'Haixun 31' to be hosted by US 14th Coast Guard District in Honolulu Harbor.
The Haixun 31 will be escorted into Aloha Tower is to be met 4, September 2012, by a parade of ships that will include the Coast Guard Cutter Galveston Island and the Honolulu Fire Department fireboat Moku Ahi.
The Coast Guard and Chinese Maritime Safety Administration are scheduled to conduct a joint search and rescue table top exercise and on water exercise in Honolulu. These exercises will serve as the building blocks towards a cooperative partnership and facilitate discussions of maritime search and rescue and environmental protection measures that are of mutual interest to both agencies.
“This historic engagement further improves the coordination of search and rescue operations at sea,” said Rear. Adm, Charles Ray, commander 14th Coast Guard District. “This is the first visit to the United States by the Haixun 31 and is an opportunity to strengthen our relationship on a number of common maritime missions.”
The arrival will be followed by a ceremony hosted by Rear. Adm. Charles Ray, commander 14th Coast Guard District, and attended by Hawaii Lt. Gov. Brian Schatz and Honolulu Mayor Peter Carlisle. The Chinese delegation will include Chinese Vice Consul General Sun Dewei from Los Angeles, Chinese Guangdong Maritime Safety Administration Director General Liang Jianwei, Chinese Guangdong Deputy Director General Cao Desheng and Capt. Chen Qingli, commanding officer of Haixun 31.