BEIJING, July 13 (Xinhuanet) -- China’s largest fast-rescue vessel, the Donghai Rescue 101, has been deployed off the southern coast of Zhejiang province. The boat’s crew is on alert to carry out search and rescue operations as Typhoon Soulik approaches.

The Donghai 101, along with six other rescue boats, has been on patrol for 20 hours. Commissioned in 2012, the vessel is equipped with the most state-of-the-art equipment. When called into operation, it can reach a top speed of 32 Knots and carry up to 200 people at a time.

According to the National Marine Environmental Forecasting Center, Typhoon Soulik is expected to hit the waters near Taiwan around late Friday, before moving on to the mainland on Saturday. The forecasting center has also forecast up to 220 centimeters of precipitation from Friday to Saturday afternoon in the coastal provinces of Fujian and Zhejiang. Local government departments have been urged to strengthen protection for local fishing industries.

(Source: CNTV.cn)