The new TV series The Blue Sea of Ambition reveals the heroic work of marine rescuers. [Photo provided to China Daily]

The writers stayed, dined with and interviewed the rescue teams for a couple of months. The script took more than three years of polishing.

Based on a group of Chinese rescuers, the series consists of 17 marine rescue and salvage missions, which are all true stories.

The episodes include rescuing kidnapped Chinese scientists from a group of Somali pirates and rescuing the crew and passengers from a sinking ship in the sea near Shandong province.

Director Chen Jian, known for the hit TV series Drawing Sword (2005), alongside Hong Kong filmmaker Keung Kwokman have directed The Blue Sea of Ambition.

Veteran actors Zhang Guoqiang, Yu Xiaotong as well as actress Yuan Quan respectively play a helicopter pilot, a diver and a psychologist－representing the three major roles in the civil force.

The cast also includes actor Ding Haifeng, from Wolf Warrior 2, and award-winning actor Tang Guoqiang. Most of the actors participated in training sessions on swimming and diving, and lived in the bases for a period of time.

Recalling his time spent with the rescuers, Ding says: "They rescued the struggling and fought against extreme weather. But when they speak about such dangerous moments, they do so in a way that makes it seem so normal. They are worth our respect."