Type 646 Class (Kanyang Class) Chinese Hydrographic Survey Ship

Type 646 hydrographic survey ship with NATO reporting name Kanyang class is a type of survey vessel currently in service with the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN). Type 646 Kanyang class survey ship is designed by the 4th Directorate of the 708th Institute of China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC), which is also more commonly known as China Shipbuilding and Oceanic Engineering Design Academy nowadays. Construction of both ships begun simultaneously in December 1978 and both were launched in 1982, and both entered service with PLAN South Sea Fleet in 1978. In comparison to earlier shps converted from fishing and cargo vessels, these purposely designed ships carried more equipment and greatly improved efficiency. These ships are named as Nan-Ce (南测, meaning South Survey), followed by a three digit number. South means South Sea Fleet and Survey means that these ships are survey vessels.