Originally, the majority of the hydrographic surveys had been conducted by civilian fishing vessels which had additional scientific equipment, naval and governmental crews on board. However, since the Chinese economic reform, and the depletion of the fishery resources, the civilian fishing vessels must venture much further out into open ocean on extended voyages, thus were no longer available for coastal or inland water survey operations.
Initially, most hydrographic surveys were carried out by civilian fishing boats equipped with scientific instruments, accompanied by naval and governmental personnel. Nevertheless, since China's economic reforms and depletion of fishery resources, these vessels now need to travel much farther into the open ocean on prolonged voyages, rendering them unfit for coastal or inland water survey operations.