The world's second largest coast guard vessel and China's and Asia's largest -- Haijing 3901 of the China Coast Guard (CCG) -- returned to its base recently after conducting its first patrol of the South China Sea.

The South China Sea division of the State Oceanic Administration (SOA), which is in charge of CCG, said Haijing 3901 spent 19 days patrolling the waters around 12 Chinese-held islands in the South China Sea and visited 15 of the islands to "protect China's maritime rights."

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Haijing 3901 had a crew of 17 and carried two unnamed aerial vehicles (UAVs) on its maiden voyage.

SOA said the objectives of the patrol were to guarantee "the timely detection and investigation of illegal activities" on China's South China Sea holdings in addition to ensuring the islands' ecological protection.

Haijing 3901 displaces 12,000 tons and along with her sister ship, Haijing 2901 patrolling the East China Sea, is described as a "monster" by Chinese state-controlled media.

Both monsters, however, still fall short of the displacement of the world's largest coast guard vessel -- USCGC Healy (WAGB-20) of the U.S. Coast Guard. Healy, which is also the U.S.' largest and most technologically advanced icebreaker, displaces 16,000 tons.

Haijing 3901 and Haijing 2901 are, however, the most heavily armed and the most heavily armored coast guard vessels afloat.

Each ship carries a PJ26 76 mm rapid fire gun; two Type 730 seven-barreled 30 mm CIWS autocannon and several heavy machine guns. Each can also deploy two Z-8 helicopters that can be used for anti-submarine warfare and search and rescue operations.

In contrast, other CCG ships either carry lighter weapons or are armed with water cannons.

The bows of Haijing 3901 and Haijing 2901 were strengthened so they can inflict heavy damage when ramming other ships while their hulls were armored to withstand similar ramming attacks by other boats.