Guarding This Sea—A Tribute to the Ninth Zhejiang Province Moral Model, Captain Wang Sanhan of "Sea Patrol 22"

Waves surged, flames soared into the sky, and a ship navigated through the storm... On June 17, in Hangzhou, at the site of the 9th Zhejiang Province Moral Model Advanced Deeds Release Event, a scene dance was being performed. The prototype of the story, Wang Sanhan, captain of the "Haixun 22" and the 9th Zhejiang Province Moral Model, sat in the audience. On the podium, he received the trophy from the award presenter, becoming the first Zhejiang provincial moral model in the Zhejiang maritime system.

Half a month later, I visited the Ningbo Maritime Safety Administration's Haixun Law Enforcement Brigade. Standing in front of the "Haixun 22," the sea breeze carried a faint smell of paint. On the deck, a figure in a blue jumpsuit soaked with sweat was covered in paint spots. Just as I was about to step aboard, he quickly raised his hand and said, "Be careful, the paint is fresh!" With a reminder from those around me, I learned that he was Captain Wang Sanhan, a stark contrast to the upright uniformed figure on the award stage. No wonder I didn't recognize him.

He has guarded this sea for 35 years. Over 7,000 days and nights on duty, with a patrol track of over 120,000 nautical miles, he has participated in more than 300 maritime rescues, saving the lives of over 700 people in distress, and ensuring the safe navigation of over 800,000 ships annually at the world's largest port, Ningbo-Zhoushan Port...

When the sea is calm, the waves are peaceful. He said, "It is my greatest honor in this life to have the privilege of safeguarding the tranquility of this sea!"

A Trendy Youth Grows into a Flagship Captain

"I’m not naturally talented, I just persisted a little more."

In the yellowed old photo before me, a young man is dressed in a sleek black leather jacket, paired with flared trousers, and his polished leather shoes shine brightly. It’s hard to associate this stylish and dashing young man with the now sea-bound, sun-darkened Captain of the "Haixun 22."

In 1991, Wang Sanhan graduated from high school and joined the Ningbo Maritime Surveillance Bureau at the time. Later, during institutional reforms, his colleagues who joined at the same time gradually transferred through exams, but Wang Sanhan stayed on the ship.

"I felt a bit upset at the time," Wang Sanhan admitted. He felt down and confused because of it. "But I thought I needed to work hard to change my state."

From then on, he focused his efforts on areas that could take him further—self-studying English, earning qualifications, and honing ship-handling skills. He used all his free time to grow and improve while others rested. "Bending down to tie your shoelaces is so you can run faster with your head held high," he told himself.

The Xiangshan Shipu route is dense with fishing boats and has a complex navigation environment, making it a natural training ground. The captains and mentors around him became his most important guides on this sea. The older generation of sailors didn’t talk much but were solid in their work. They taught him to read tides, discern wind directions, steer, and dock, as well as the principles of being a good person.

His learning method was simple and could be summarized in two words: persistence. During the day, he followed his mentors on board for hands-on practice, actively seeking advice from experienced captains, observing how they judged tides and docked ships. At night, he searched for answers in books, subscribed to numerous related journals and magazines, closely followed industry developments, and resolved his daytime doubts one by one, verifying them on the ship the next day, repeating the cycle.

Day after day, he eventually earned a university degree, mastered precise docking and rapid troubleshooting of ship faults, and excelled in various maritime skills, far ahead of his peers. Step by step, he climbed from sailor to second officer, then chief officer, continuously advancing. "I’m not naturally talented, I just persisted a little more," he said.

Wang Sanhan's wife, Liu Jun, understands her husband's persistence best: "I often tell our son that your father’s strengths are his seriousness, persistence, and hard work." Once, when Wang Sanhan was preparing for a competition in Ningbo, he practiced tying knots at home late into the night for several consecutive days. That time, he won three first-place awards in individual events. For him, striving for the best and aiming for first place has never been just a slogan on the wall but a standard for everything he does.

On August 22, 2013, the "Haixun 22," the largest, most advanced, and most capable public law enforcement vessel in Zhejiang's maritime system, was officially commissioned, and Wang Sanhan was entrusted with the responsibility of being its captain.

During an anchoring duty, a small fishing boat approached the "Haixun 22" directly. Before Wang Sanhan could speak, the other party had already called his name on the VHF radio: "Captain Wang, I know you; you saved me." Later, Wang Sanhan checked the rescue records and found that he had indeed saved this fisherman during a dangerous situation years ago. Meeting again in the vast sea of people, although he could no longer recall the details of the rescue, the rescued fisherman always remembered the maritime blue that stood out in times of crisis.

Since becoming the captain of the "Haixun 22," he has rooted himself in this sea. With his "a little more" persistence, he has led the entire crew to maintain 24-hour fixed-point duty in the core area of Ningbo-Zhoushan Port, ensuring the safe navigation of about 800,000 ships annually and participating in over 160 special water safety rectification activities, becoming a flag on this vast blue sea.

The path he has walked coincides with the journey of this sea from desolation to prosperity—early on, the shores of Chuanshan and Meishan were barren mudflats, with simple waterways, and venturing out to sea was a big deal. Today, the port is brightly lit, giant ships shuttle back and forth, and Ningbo-Zhoushan Port has ranked first in the world for cargo throughput for 17 consecutive years.

Wherever There’s a Need, He’s There

"Received, setting off immediately!"

On February 16 this year, Liu Jun posted on her social media: "Another New Year's Eve." The accompanying image was nine screenshots of video calls—from 2018 to 2026, every New Year's Eve when families reunite, Wang Sanhan is on the ship, she is at home, and their son is studying in the UK. The three of them gather on the screen.

"Received, setting off immediately!" This is the phrase Wang Sanhan has said most often in his 30-plus years of guarding the sea.

On May 15, 2014, after being on duty for over 10 consecutive days, Wang Sanhan finally got a break and returned home, only to receive an urgent order—return to the ship immediately to head to the South China Sea for the "Weiyuan Operation." "When the country needs me, I feel it’s my duty," he said. Due to the special nature of the mission, he quickly rejoined the team for the special rights protection task.

For 81 days, the South China Sea was turbulent, with extremely harsh sea conditions. He led the team to drive away 396 provocative foreign vessels through warnings, pursuits, and water cannon sprays, fully safeguarding the operational safety of the 981 drilling platform and ensuring the safe return of 3,562 compatriots to the motherland. To this day, when he recalls hearing "The motherland thanks you" after the mission was successfully completed, his heart still burns with emotion.

On January 6, 2018, the Panamanian oil tanker "Sanchi" collided with the Hong Kong-registered cargo ship "CF Crystal" in the East China Sea, and the "Sanchi," carrying 110,000 tons of condensate oil, exploded and caught fire.

"The whole world is watching now; we must go, and we must handle it well." After receiving the mission late at night, Wang Sanhan immediately activated the emergency plan and led the entire crew to rush to the scene against the cold wave and strong winds.

Upon arrival, the scene shocked everyone: thousands of meters of thick smoke and raging flames engulfed the sea, with explosions occurring intermittently. The surrounding waters were filled with pungent gases, and the ship could explode again at any moment.

"Entering the core area of the accident to collect water samples, every approach was a head-on confrontation with death. But you have to step up; the country has entrusted this ship to you, and you must shoulder the responsibility," Wang Sanhan recalled.

Jing Pengfei, who participated in the "Sanchi" rescue mission, recalled, "In the fierce winds and waves, the entire ship swayed violently, and everyone struggled to hold on." But every time he entered the bridge, he saw Captain Wang standing upright, holding binoculars, and staring resolutely at the sea ahead. "As long as we saw that figure, we all felt reassured and steady," Jing Pengfei said. That figure standing firm in the storm was the anchor for the entire ship.

Over 95 days, he led the team to the accident site eight times, continuously carrying out personnel rescues, oil spill prevention, and other challenging tasks. Wang Sanhan and the entire crew of the "Haixun 22" demonstrated the responsibility of maritime professionals through their actions.

In April 2021, a fishing boat from Jiangsu sank off the coast of Zhoushan, with 20 people in distress. Having just completed a three-day, two-night inland river patrol mission, Wang Sanhan led the "Haixun 22" at full speed to the incident area without resting. After five days and four nights of continuous rescue efforts, 17 people were successfully saved!

...

Over 35 years, Wang Sanhan has experienced countless rescue scenes like this.

As the captain of the "Haixun 22," Wang Sanhan is entitled to seven days of rest per shift. However, over the years, he has never taken a full vacation. During holidays, he always volunteers for duty, and whenever there are major rescues, large-scale drills, or joint law enforcement missions, he is always the first to appear on the ship.

"Every time, he’s the one at the forefront. After receiving a mission, his first question is, 'How soon can we get the ship out?'" said Li Junxi, the second engineer of the "Haixun 22." "During ship duty, the midnight to 4 a.m. shift is the hardest, as it’s the easiest time to get sleepy and make mistakes. Captain Wang is always there during this time."

This is Wang Sanhan—every departure is the simplest answer to "people first, life first." He is not unaware of the dangers, nor does he not miss his family; he just places "someone needs me" ahead of everything else. "Our mission is to protect every life at sea and ensure they return home safely," he said.

During the interview, Captain Wang’s phone rang again. The "Haixun 22" was about to begin a new round of duty.

Arriving One Minute Earlier Brings One More Hope for Life

"It’s not that the ship can’t do without me; it’s that I can’t do without the ship."

Having spent years with the waves and brushing shoulders with life and death, witnessing countless maritime crises and farewells, what touched me most was that Wang Sanhan still tears up when recounting each rescue experience.

In the winter of 2025, off the coast of Xiangshan, Ningbo, a fishing boat suddenly capsized, and five crew members fell into the icy waters. During the long wait, everyone silently prepared to say their final goodbyes to their families. Fortunately, the "Haixun 22" was patrolling the area and arrived at the rescue site in less than 20 minutes.

When the crew members were transferred aboard, they were trembling all over. Wang Sanhan handed his phone to the rescued crew members so they could call home to report their safety. Holding the phone, the crew members burst into tears. One of them said that before the ship sank, each of them had said goodbye to their families, never expecting to be able to report their safety now. At that moment, Wang Sanhan almost cried too.

"Having gone through these experiences, you feel that all the effort is worth it, and you’ll keep going," he said in a low voice, his eyes red.

However, in his 35 years of guarding the sea, not every rescue has had a perfect ending, and this is the heaviest regret in Wang Sanhan’s heart. "During one rescue, we found a person in distress clinging tightly to the mast of a capsized fishing boat. As the rescue ship approached, before the small boat could be lowered, the person jumped into the sea from the mast. However, the waves were too strong, and after entering the water, the person never surfaced again..." Talking about this failed rescue, his voice was low, and he couldn’t let it go for a long time.

Maritime rescue is never a cold task but a mission to protect lives and uphold hope. Arriving one minute earlier brings one more hope for life. Persisting a little longer prevents one more farewell. His countless life-and-death rescue experiences have filled him with reverence for life. He often reviews rescue details late at night, repeatedly hypothesizing and refining, striving to make rescue operations faster and more meticulous.

This year, in response to the frequent intersections of commercial and fishing vessels in the jurisdictional waters, the "Haixun 22" extended its stationing point by 20 nautical miles. This decision was based on Wang Sanhan’s years of experience. Moving the station forward reduces danger and increases the hope for life.

After half a lifetime of patrolling the sea, Wang Sanhan has long become one with the "Haixun 22" and this blue sea. He said, "It’s not that the ship can’t do without me; it’s that I can’t do without the ship." Over five years, he has undergone three major surgeries and been hospitalized five times. Each time, doctors advised him to "rest well," but he always returned to the ship after agreeing verbally.

Having spent years stationed at sea, Wang Sanhan treats the ship as his second home. He always remembers the teachings of his mentors, taking the lead in tasks like deck rust removal, hull painting, and engine room maintenance. In this home, his specialty dish is "braised fish." Besides cooking, he also grows vegetables. When the ship docks, he plants crops like bayberries, corn, and potatoes on both sides of the gangway. "When someone has a birthday on the ship, Captain Wang cooks noodles for everyone. When a colleague retires, he organizes group photos and farewell parties," said Ran Tianlong, the second officer of the "Haixun 22." "The 'Haixun 22' is like a big family."

Through the collective efforts of this family, the "Haixun 22" has won numerous honors in recent years, including the national "Youth Civilization Unit" and "Outstanding Safety Ship in the National Water Transport System," becoming a model vessel in Zhejiang’s maritime system.

Upholding Virtue Has Long Been Part of His Life

"Serving the people wholeheartedly is a lifelong practice."

Over 35 years of patrolling the waves, Wang Sanhan has dedicated most of his life to this sea. What people know are the moments when he responded to orders in times of crisis and rescued people in distress. But beyond the waves, his kind-hearted nature has long been integrated into the details of his life.

"Once again, we received a donation from Uncle Wang, which warmed us in the cold winter. Please rest assured, Uncle, we will take good care of our parents, study hard, and help others like you in the future..." Through letters of gratitude crossing mountains and seas, the story of Wang Sanhan sponsoring impoverished students was accidentally discovered by those around him. Since 2014, he has sponsored seven impoverished students to complete their studies. He rarely mentions this to others.

Kindness is not a grand gesture but a simple duty within one’s ability. When asked about his years of quiet charity, his answer was simple and pure: "I think helping others is a joy. Being needed is also a kind of happiness." Doing things without seeking fame or reward, only for peace of mind and a clear conscience, is his deeply ingrained principle.

This sincerity and kindness also nourish his family, becoming a family tradition passed down through generations. He doesn’t excel at giving grand speeches but often reminds his son with one sentence: "I hope you become a good person, a capital 'P' person. The two strokes of the character must stand firm."

Building character and virtue in the family, and practicing it in his position—Wang Sanhan’s character gradually influences every crew member on the ship, passing it on to new generations of maritime youth.

Every year, new employees of the Ningbo Maritime Safety Administration board the "Haixun 22" for training. These "new maritime youth" go to sea with the "Haixun 22," patrolling and standing watch overnight.

Through the "Wang Sanhan Model Worker Studio," Wang Sanhan imparts his years of practical experience and passes on the pragmatic style of excellent maritime professionals to the next generation. The young employees learn not only professional maritime skills but also the principles of perseverance and proactive responsibility in ordinary positions.

"With Captain Wang as a flag ahead, we can look up to him as a role model. When Captain Wang is around, things are steady. Everything he does, we can learn to incorporate into our daily work," said Yao Yuwen, the duty supervisor at the Ningbo Maritime Safety Administration’s Vessel Traffic Management Center.

In recent years, 1,179 "new maritime youth" have boarded the "Haixun 22." From there, they have gone on to various duty points at Ningbo-Zhoushan Port, continuing to guard the vast blue sea and ensure safe navigation in the port area.

Over 30 years, Wang Sanhan has received more than 60 honors, including National Outstanding Seafarer, Outstanding Communist Party Member of the Ministry of Transport, 2021 Top Ten Inspirational Figures in Transportation, Zhejiang Provincial Model Worker, China Good Person, and the 9th Zhejiang Province Moral Model. Faced with the accolades bestowed by the outside world, he always emphasizes: "Search and rescue, patrolling, and rights protection are never my achievements alone. They are the results of the joint efforts of every crew member and all parties involved. These honors don’t belong to me personally but to every maritime professional who fights alongside me."

At the end of the interview, sunlight shone on the Party emblem on Wang Sanhan’s chest. In calm and gentle words, he expressed his lifelong belief: Serving the people wholeheartedly is a lifelong practice.

The Ningbo Maritime Safety Administration, closely aligned with the goal of building a world-class strong port, continues to enhance the resilience of the industrial and supply chains, accelerating the construction of a hub for bulk commodity resource allocation. In the first half of this year, it issued 1,433 port entry warning messages, achieving "zero accidents" for ultra-large ships entering and leaving the port. It ensured the safe and efficient entry and exit of 606 ultra-large ships, safely unloaded 40.0672 million tons of imported iron ore and 39.0275 million tons of crude oil, and strongly supported the construction of Ningbo-Zhoushan Port as a world-class strong port...

Behind these numbers are countless sea guardians like Wang Sanhan rooted in their positions. "There is no end to doing solid work, leading the way requires new plans, and standing at the forefront demonstrates responsibility." They are rooted in this sea, guarding the ships, the sea, and everyone on it.