China’s Dayang Yihao (or “Ocean No 1”) has been surveying the Arabian Sea west of India since December 19, according to SeaLight, a maritime analysis group affiliated with Stanford University.

The ship is China’s first modern comprehensive ocean-going scientific research vessel, and is equipped with advanced ocean floor imaging systems for real-time seabed mapping. It monitors abnormal marine sounds and features satellite communication and wireless internet access.

The vessel could have been operating near the USS Abraham Lincoln, independent military observer MenchOsint – who specialises in open-source intelligence – said in a social media post.

MenchOsint’s analysis of the Dayang Yihao’s historical track data suggests it was operating in waters near the US carrier – but the precise distance between the two is not known.