To promote young students' understanding of developments at the forefront of deep-sea exploration, YCYW hosted a lecture "Explore the Unexplored" at YCIS Hong Kong on 28 November. Dr Wu Xin, Director of HADALX, and Professor Qiu Jianwen, Associate Head of the Department of Biology at Hong Kong Baptist University, were the guest speakers. Students from various institutions in Hong Kong, as well as YCYW teachers and students, and other guests embarked on a journey of deep-sea exploration.

Dr Wu described his journeys exploring the oceans and challenging the abyss. The oceans have 26 deep-sea trenches that exceed 6,500 metres, and the total area is larger than that of the contiguous United States. However, only about 5% of the seabed has been investigated by scientists so far. In his explanation, Dr Wu guided everyone through the 6,500-metre deep abyss in a simple and easy-to-understand way to learn how the genetic types of deep-sea micro-organisms affect the development of various industries, such as biomedicine, food and health products, marine preservation, and environmental protection.

Dr Wu also introduced the upcoming construction of the Yew Chung Yew Wah Marine Scientific Research Vessel. The Yew Chung Yew Wah Marine Scientific Research Vessel is a modernised comprehensive marine scientific research vessel that integrates multi-disciplinary, multi-functional, and multi-technological means to cater to the requirements for supporting manned deep-sea submarines operating at depths of 11,000 metres. It provides underwater engineering support, for conducting multi-disciplinary marine research of the deep ocean, encompassing geophysics, marine geology, marine biology, and other relevant fields.

After exploring the deep-sea, Professor Qiu introduced discoveries of marine species. For almost 20 years, Professor Qiu and his research team have dedicated themselves to protecting marine biodiversity. He discussed the new species that they have discovered in the deep waters of the South China Sea and the shallow waters of Hong Kong, such as rare beard worms without a mouth or a digestive tract, Catillopecten margaritatus, and new species of box jellyfish. He also elaborated on the research team's in-depth studies regarding  the population connection and conservation values associated with these newly discovered species. 

The Q&A session after a seminar is always very popular, and the students showed great curiosity and interest. Their questions covered a wide range of topics, including hot topics in marine science, future career opportunities, the technology for mapping deep-sea terrain, and biodiversity conservation. Dr Wu and Professor Qiu both noted that our understanding of the deep sea is still very limited. There are many unknown species yet to be discovered, and numerous disciplines can be applied to ocean exploration. Dr Wu and Professor Qiu strongly encouraged the students to pay close attention to the oceans, as well as the development of marine science and technology, and to consider exploring the oceans in the future.

Dr Esther Chan, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of YCYW, delivered a speech after the lecture. She expressed her gratitude to Dr Wu and Professor Qiu for sharing their expertise about deep-sea exploration and marine species, thereby enriching our understanding of various scientific fields and sparking everyone's curiosity. "This year, we have established a new programme called the 'The Seeds for the Future'. Here, we are dedicated to collaborating with institutions around the world, just like HADALX and Hong Kong Baptist University, to enrich our school curriculum, as well as develop super-curricular programmes that extends our students learning beyond the classroom."

Various organisations and partners made the success of this event possible: (listed in no particular order): Innovation, Technology and Industry Bureau, the Government of the Hong Kong SAR of the People’s Republic of China; Harbour City Estates Limited; Yew Chung Yew Wah Education Network; Hong Kong University of Science and Technology; Hong Kong Polytechnic University; The Chinese University of Hong Kong; Our Hong Kong Foundation; Beijing - Hong Kong Academic Exchange Centre; Deep Blue Exploration; Institute of Hong Kong Underwater Archaeology Research; Hong Kong Chinese Culture Development Association; Hong Kong Tech-Inno Association; Ocean Culture (HK) Company Limited; Reef Check Foundation-Hong Kong.

YCYW is a modernised comprehensive marine scientific research vessel that integrates multi-disciplinary, multi-functional, and multi-technological means to cater to the requirements for supporting manned deep-sea submarines operating at depths of 11,000 metres. It provides underwater engineering support, for conducting multi-disciplinary marine research of the deep ocean, encompassing geophysics, marine geology, marine biology, and other relevant fields. The ship has a 97-metre longitudinal dimension and a 17.8-metre lateral dimension, a design displacement of about 4,800 tons, a design draft of 5.65 metres, a cruising speed of 12 knots, an endurance of 15,000 nautical miles, a capacity for 60 crew members, and self-sustainability for 60 days.