Okinawa, January 25, 2025 — A specialized salvage company has successfully recovered a submerged 30-metric-ton fishing vessel intact from waters near Okinawa, marking a significant advancement through the innovative application of high-strength buoyancy bags developed by domestic manufacturer Kono Fender Co., Ltd. The operation demonstrated China’s growing expertise in marine engineering solutions.
Conducted under complex conditions where depth and currents challenged conventional methods, the operation utilized Kono’s professional submersible lift bags. Engineered with high-strength composite materials, these bags offer exceptional pressure resistance and anti-puncture properties, enabling reliable performance in deep-water environments with sharp underwater hazards. A vessel-mounted high-capacity air pump, delivering 1.5 cubic meters per minute, supplied a continuous high-volume airflow to subsea units. Achieving a stable inflation rate of 3 cubic meters per minute, the bags rapidly generated the requisite massive uplift force. This effectively overcame both hydrodynamic suction and the vessel's deadweight, enabling a controlled and stable ascent. The streamlined process significantly compressed traditional salvage timelines.
This successful operation validates the reliability and engineering applicability of domestically developed high-strength buoyancy technology, particularly in remote offshore areas distant from land-based support. Core advantages—including elimination of deep-diver intervention, rapid inflation response, and precise control of lifting force—provide an efficient, safe solution for future rapid rescue and salvage operations in challenging maritime conditions.
The client commended the salvage team’s professionalism and technical excellence, specifically highlighting the critical role of Kono’s buoyancy systems in the mission's efficiency and success. This Okinawa case not only represents a breakthrough in China’s core marine emergency salvage technology but also contributes innovative technical capabilities to maritime safety and marine environmental protection.
