It can accommodate 17 scientists for extended cruises in the vicinity of Taiwan, the South China Sea and the Philippine Sea. The scientists regularly investigate hydrology, ocean currents, marine geology and geophysics and fishery resources.
出海作業時可容納科學人員十七人。九連號經常在台灣近海、南中國海及菲律賓海，從事水文、海流、海底地質、地球物理及漁業資源的調查研究。