Helicopter Rescue Operation Saves Injured Tugboat Crew
On Thursday, a dramatic rescue operation unfolded off the coast of Hualien, Taiwan, when a helicopter airlifted five crew members from a tugboat. The incident occurred after a crew member sustained a serious head injury while assisting a drifting bulk carrier with 17 crew members onboard, including five Filipinos and 12 Taiwanese. The swift response from local authorities ensured the safety of all involved.
Injury and Rescue Efforts
The injured crew member, identified by the surname Yu (游), suffered a head laceration when the tugboat became entangled in a cable due to adverse weather conditions, leading to a loss of propulsion. Deputy Coast Guard Patrol Team Captain Wu Cheng-ta (吳正達) reported that the accident took place around 1 p.m. and prompted an immediate request for a helicopter from the National Airborne Service Corps. Approximately 40 personnel were mobilized on the ground to support the rescue efforts.
Rescuers determined that an airlift was necessary due to the rough sea conditions, which made it impossible to use smaller boats for evacuation. The helicopter arrived at the scene around 3 p.m. and successfully airlifted all five crew members, including the semi-conscious Yu, who was promptly transported to a hospital for medical attention upon landing in Hualien.
Background of the Incident
Local authorities revealed that the Port of Hualien had dispatched the tugboat to assist the bulk carrier, which was waiting to dock and unload cargo at 9:30 a.m. The bulk carrier experienced 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 sustained. The vessel itself remains in stable condition.
To further assist the cargo ship, a large salvage tug was scheduled to arrive at the scene later in the evening, around 8:30 p.m., as local authorities continued to monitor the situation closely.
