A helicopter rescue teamtakes part in a lifesaving exercise on Thursday

The bureau was involved in the search for Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370, which disappeared more than two years ago on a flight from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing.

Wang said it was decided after this mission to develop underwater search capabilities.

He said the bureau has 31 ships and four helicopters to cover rescue work in the South China Sea. Other forces, such as the military, may join rescue efforts.

"The international shipping routes near the Nansha Islands are very busy. Such a big area means quite a number of ships could get into trouble," the captain said.

The South China Sea boasts one of the world's busiest shipping routes, with about 40 percent of global cargoes shipped annually passing through these waters. It also attracts many fishermen, who can be vulnerable in frequent typhoons.

Zhang Zengxiang, deputy head of the Shipping Division at the Maritime Affairs Bureau in Sansha, Hainan province, said the proposed base station will help with rescue work in the southern South China Sea.

"The main difficulty in rescue work around the Nansha Islands is the long distances," he said, adding that the Nanhaijiu 118, built last year, has to sail for nearly two days to reach the Nansha Islands from the Xisha Islands.

He also said the distance is too great for helicopters, the most efficient way to save lives at sea. The main way to handle accidents in the area at present is to arrange for vessels passing by to help.