The replica will undertake its first of eight expeditions after going on a trial journey in August 2014, according to the Nanjing maritime safety administration. A captain, boatswain and chief engineer for the ship are to be chosen by the end of this year. Zhao Zhigang, general manager of Jiangsu Longjiang Shipbuilding said: "It is the world's biggest handmade wooden ship," Zhao said. "The ship's mast will be 38 meters tall, and its six sails, when they are unfurled, will cover an area of 600 square meters." Various Chinese historical sources hold that the biggest treasure ship was about 127 meters long and 52 meters wide. The wooden ship is being built in part in observance of China's Maritime Day, recently held to mark the anniversary of Zheng He's first voyage in 1405.