The R/V TAN SUO YI HAO is the mothership for 4500 m and 10000 m manned/unmanned submersible, operated by the Institute of Deep-sea Science and Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences (IDSSE-CAS). Its design and construction are supported by the Strategic Priority Research Program (Category B) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the key special project "Deep Sea Key Technologies and Equipment" of the Key Research and Development Program of the Ministry of Science and Technology, etc. The vessel has an overall length of 94.45m, a draft of 5.5m, a full-load displacement of 6250t, a maximum speed of 14.5kn, an economic speed of 10kn, a range of more than 10000nmi, and a self-sustaining capacity of more than 60 days. It adopts a four-engine, dual-adjustable propeller system and is equipped with a DP-2 dynamic positioning system.

The ship has a suite of scientific instrumentation available for use aboard, including 11 laboratories: comprehensive laboratory, electromechanical laboratory, geological laboratory, geophysical laboratory, chemical laboratory, instrument analysis laboratory, etc. In addition, the ship is also equipped with deep-sea operation winch system, sounding system, sediment collection device, seismic air compressor system, and auxiliary machinery such as portal frame, crane, etc., able to carry out deep-sea scientific investigation and test.

In 2016,R/V TAN SUO YI HAO carried out China's first 10000 meter depth comprehensive scientific exploration in the Challenger Deep of the Mariana Trench.  

In 2020,R/V TAN SUO YI HAO successfully supported and ensured HOV FEN DOU ZHE bottoming the Mariana Trench with the depth of 10909 m,a new record for China's manned deep diving.