Rescue Operation Underway for Injured Tugboat Crew Member off Hualien
Taipei, Jan. 1 (CNA) – A dramatic rescue operation unfolded on Thursday afternoon when a helicopter airlifted five crew members from a tugboat near Hualien. The incident occurred after a crew member, identified by the surname Yu, sustained a head injury while assisting a drifting bulk carrier. The bulk carrier, which has 17 crew members onboard—five Filipinos and 12 Taiwanese—was waiting to dock when it experienced engine failure.
The accident took place around 1 p.m. as the tugboat became entangled in a cable amid challenging wind conditions, resulting in a loss of propulsion. Deputy Coast Guard Patrol Team Captain Wu Cheng-ta reported that the situation necessitated immediate action. He stated that the patrol team quickly requested assistance from the National Airborne Service Corps after learning of the incident.
Challenging Conditions Complicate Rescue Efforts
The rescue operation faced significant challenges due to rough sea conditions, which made it impossible to use smaller boats for evacuation. Approximately 40 personnel were mobilized on the ground to assist with the operation. The helicopter arrived on the scene around 3 p.m. and successfully airlifted all five crew members from the tugboat, including the semi-conscious Yu, who is 48 years old. He was promptly transported to a local hospital for medical treatment following the helicopter’s landing in Hualien.
Local authorities reported that the Port of Hualien had dispatched the tugboat earlier that day at 9:30 a.m. to assist the bulk carrier. Unfortunately, the vessel suffered an engine failure, leaving it adrift and vulnerable to strong monsoon winds. Fortunately, all 17 crew members aboard the Panama-registered cargo ship, owned by Taiwan’s China Steel Corp., were reported safe with no injuries. The vessel itself remains in stable condition.
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To further assist the cargo ship, a large salvage tug is scheduled to arrive at the scene at 8:30 p.m., according to local officials. The swift response from the Coast Guard and the National Airborne Service Corps highlights the importance of maritime safety and the readiness of rescue teams to respond to emergencies at sea.
