Injured Indonesian Fisherman Rescued at Sea in Joint Coast Guard and Airborne Operation

Central News Agency, Hualien County, April 22 (Reporter Chang Chi) - An accident involving an injured Indonesian fisherman occurred yesterday in the waters northeast of Yilan. After a remote medical evaluation determined the need for an emergency evacuation, the Coast Guard dispatched a vessel to rendezvous and transport the patient south. Late at night, a helicopter from the National Airborne Service Corps conducted a hoist rescue at sea, successfully bringing the patient to Hualien for medical treatment.

The Su'ao-registered fishing vessel 'Yu Shun Chi No. 66' reported yesterday afternoon that an Indonesian male crew member had been accidentally injured by fishing gear. A remote medical evaluation by a doctor concluded that an emergency medical rescue was necessary.

The 3rd team of the 1st battalion of the National Airborne Service Corps' Hualien base stated today that upon receiving the mission, the Coast Guard vessel 'Hsinchu' was dispatched first. It rendezvoused with the fishing boat at a location 140 nautical miles northeast of Hualien, taking the foreign patient and an accompanying person on board and sailing to a position 85 nautical miles off the coast of Hualien.

The 3rd team of the 1st battalion of the National Airborne Service Corps' Hualien base said that around 11 PM last night, they dispatched the Black Hawk helicopter with registration number NA-713 to meet at the location 85 nautical miles northeast of Hualien, in the waters between Taiwan and the Okinawa Islands. A Coast Guard member then exited the cabin to perform a basket hoist rescue.

The 3rd team of the 1st battalion of the National Airborne Service Corps' Hualien base stated that at 12:44 AM today, the helicopter arrived at Hualien Airport. On the tarmac of the Hualien terminal, the foreign fisherman was handed over to the police and fire department and then transported to Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital for treatment. (Editor: Chang Ming-kun) 1150422