Newest submersible enters into service

China's newest manned submersible, Shenhai Yongshi, or Deep-Sea Warrior, will be formally put into service on Friday, according to China Shipbuilding Industry Corp, developer of the advanced craft.

Shenhai Yongshi will be officially delivered to the Chinese Academy of Sciences in Sanya, Hainan province, which is its home port. Before the delivery, the submersible underwent 28 diving tests while on a 49-day expedition with its mother ship, Tansuo 1, from mid-August to early October.

It reached a depth of 4,500 meters during the tests, according to a news release from the State-owned shipbuilder. After it was ferried back to Sanya on Oct 3, engineers conducted thorough checks, the release said.