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Two Capsized Off Taiwan

Two Capsized Off Taiwan

Yu Shan No.36 and Lih Fa No.168 capsized off Taiwan
Photo: Taiwanese Coast Guard

Between the night of November 5 and the early morning of November 6, 2 fishing vessels capsized in the East China Sea. The Taiwan Coast Guard reports that the 26 meter long fishing vessel Yu Shan No.36 (MMSI: 416003222) had capsized 14 miles off Cape Fugui, Taiwan on the night of November 5. Six of the 9 crew on board the Yu Shan No.36 would be rescued by nearby fishing vessels.  The remaining 3 crew were reported missing.  A search and rescue operation would later find 2 of the 3 crew with one discovered tangled in the fishing vessel’s nets and the other clinging to the overturn cabin of the vessel.  Authorities state that 1 crew member remains unaccounted.

The Taiwanese Coast Guard also reported the capsizing of the 16 meter long fishing vessel Lih Fa No.168 (MMSI: 41600080) some 35 nautical miles off Keelung Harbor, Taiwan. Three of the 6 crew on board the Lih Fa No.168 were rescued by nearby fishing vessels. The other 3 crew members were reported as missing. Authorities state a joint sea and air search and rescue operation was launched to find the missing crew.

Lih Fa No.168
Lih Fa No.168
Fire off Marado Island

Fire off Marado Island

Marado Island Fire
Photo: nate.com

On the early morning of October 12, a 129 ton fishing vessel (name not disclosed) caught fire in the East China Sea some 34 kilometers southeast of Marado Island in Seogwipo, Jeju, South Korea. The fire started in the engine room of the purse seiner and quickly spread through the vessel.  The crew alerted the South Korean Coast Guard who dispatched a helicopter along with 5 patrol boats to assist.  The Coast Guard also asked nearby vessel to aid the fishing vessel. The 27 crew members on board the fishing vessel would be later rescued by a nearby vessel.  Six crew members had sustain injuries including smoke inhalation and burns to the face and arms. They would be later transported to hospital in Jeju City for treatment.

Marado Island Fire
Photo: nate.com

Reports stated the patrol vessels arrived on the scene and used water cannons to extinguish the blaze. The extent of damage caused by the fire was not disclosed. Authorities have launched an investigation. Initial reports state the crew heard a loud bang right before the fire started.

2066 Jae Sung Ho

2066 Jae Sung Ho

2066 Jae Sung Ho
Photo: Jeju Coast Guard

On the evening of February 12, the 14 meter long, 32 ton fishing vessel 2066 Jae Sung Ho (MMSI: 440012160) capsized in East China Sea about 8 kilometers off the coast of Seogwipo, Jeju Island.  Authorities received an emergency alert signal via very high frequency (VHF-DSC) radio with the Korean Coast Guard dispatching a patrol vessel.  The patrol vessel arrived on site and found 3 crew in a life raft, 1 crew member on the overturn hull of the 2066 Jae Sung Ho and 1 crew person in the water. The 5 were rescued by the patrol boat and all were reported to be in good health.

Authorities are conducting a search for the remaining missing crew members.  Reports state 17 vessels aided by multiple civilian fishing vessels and a helicopter are searching the surrounding area. News reports state there was a strong wind advisory at the time of the incident. Winds were reported to have gusts up to 45 miles per hour and waves reaching 3 meters.