Foreign Tanker in Distress off Kaohsiung, Taiwan Coast Guard Rescues 9 Crew

(Central News Agency, Reporter Zhang Rongxiang, Tainan, June 5) The Saint Kitts and Nevis-flagged tanker 'AQUARIUS' experienced engine room flooding in the waters southwest of Kaohsiung's Mituo District on the night of June 4. Nine crew members deployed a life raft and prepared to abandon ship. The Tainan Coast Guard of the Coast Guard Administration responded to the report and rescued all crew members. The tanker is being towed to a safe area with assistance from the Maritime and Port Bureau.

The Tainan Coast Guard told CNA reporters today that the tanker had departed from Incheon, South Korea. The Tainan Coast Guard received a report at 9:58 p.m. on June 4 about engine room flooding in the waters southwest of Kaohsiung's Mituo District. Nine crew members, including one Chinese national and eight Indonesian nationals, were awaiting rescue.

The Tainan Coast Guard immediately dispatched a patrol boat and rushed to the scene despite adverse sea conditions, arriving at the reported area at 10:33 p.m. Upon arrival, they found that the tanker's stern shaft had broken, causing engine room flooding. The crew was deploying a life raft and preparing to abandon ship. The patrol boat immediately came alongside and rescued all nine crew members. No external injuries were observed. They were first taken to the Tainan City base and then transferred to Kaohsiung in the early hours of June 5.

The Tainan Coast Guard stated that the tanker is currently being towed to a safe area by a tugboat arranged by the Southern Navigation Center of the Maritime and Port Bureau. The vessel carries approximately 12 to 13 tons of diesel fuel and about 200 liters of lubricating oil. The engine fuel valve has been closed. A Coast Guard patrol boat is monitoring the situation, and there is currently no risk of capsizing. (Editor: Huang Mingxi) 1150605