Pingnan, Guangxi, March 6 — Advanced salvage technology achieved a notable success in Pingnan County waters as a professional team safely recovered an intact ~2-metric-ton submerged vehicle within just three hours. The operation employed a novel multi-unit large-capacity airbag buoyancy system, offering a reliable new solution for complex aquatic rescues.
The operation utilized six specialized pillow-shaped airbags, each providing 5 metric tons of buoyancy for a combined theoretical uplift capacity of 30 tons—ensuring a substantial safety margin. Following precise assessment of the vehicle's position and hydrographic conditions, technicians strategically positioned the airbags on key structural load points via professional divers.
Upon inflation, the synchronized airbags generated massive uplift, smoothly dislodging the vehicle from the riverbed. The controlled ascent preserved the vehicle’s structural integrity. Through precise buoyancy management and coordinated surface team support, the vehicle was safely guided to shallower waters and recovered ashore, completing the operation successfully.
This mission demonstrates the significant potential of multi-unit high-buoyancy airbag technology in salvage applications. Its operational simplicity, high safety profile, and minimal impact on targets and the environment provide valuable experience for similar waterborne emergencies and salvage tasks, strengthening China’s technical capacity for aquatic incident response.
