The 2026 Eastern Sea Area Maritime Search and Rescue Comprehensive Drill was held in Shanghai.

On July 15, under the guidance of the China Maritime Search and Rescue Center and the Ministry of Transport's Salvage and Rescue Bureau, the 2026 Eastern Sea Area Maritime Search and Rescue Comprehensive Drill was held in the waters near the Shanghai Waigaoqiao Rescue Dock. The drill further tested the emergency response capabilities of the salvage system in the eastern sea area, showcased the comprehensive rescue abilities of the national professional salvage team, and enhanced the emergency handling level of salvage equipment, technology, and joint forces in responding to maritime emergencies. The drill was hosted by the Ministry of Transport's Donghai Rescue Bureau and co-organized by the Shanghai Maritime Search and Rescue Center and the Ministry of Transport's Shanghai Salvage Bureau.

In the afternoon, six professional forces participated in the drill, including the vessels "Donghai Rescue 101," "Donghai Rescue 203," "Donghai Rescue 321," "Haixun 01051," "Hu Rescue 17," and the Shanghai Rescue Base Special Rescue Team. The drill included scenarios such as surface search and rescue for overboard personnel, firefighting, docking and transfer, underwater sealing, emergency towing, route clearance, and formation inspection. In the simulated scenario, the vessel "Donghai Rescue 101" simulated a distressed ship that encountered crosswinds while navigating the Yangtze River estuary, lost control, ran aground, suffered hull damage and flooding, with one crew member injured and three crew members overboard. Subsequently, scattered items in the cabin caused collisions, triggering a fire that spread to the superstructure.

Upon receiving the distress report, the salvage system quickly activated the emergency plan and dispatched salvage forces from the Donghai sea area to the scene. During the rescue operation, rescue vessels successfully saved three overboard personnel using rescue nets and deploying A-frames; "Donghai Rescue 203" docked and transferred one injured person; "Hu Rescue 17" extinguished the fire using firefighting cannons; divers completed underwater inspection and sealing; and "Hu Rescue 17" towed the distressed ship away from the main channel to a safe area. After a series of rescue actions, all distressed personnel and the vessel were safely secured.

Currently, China has entered the critical flood prevention period of "July Down, August Up," with frequent extreme weather and climate events, presenting severe and complex challenges for flood and typhoon prevention. The salvage system continues to strengthen coordinated deployment and pre-arranged defenses, improving rescue capabilities under extreme conditions, and ensuring rapid and efficient emergency rescue and disaster relief, thereby maintaining a stable and positive maritime safety situation through solid and effective actions.