Diver Missing Off Maobitou Coast, Massive Air-Sea Rescue Underway
A 36-year-old man surnamed Chen went missing while diving off the coast of Maobitou, Pingtung. A joint air-sea rescue operation is ongoing.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 26, 2026 at 18:32
- 🔍 Collected: April 26, 2026 at 19:01 (29 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 27, 2026 at 01:47 (6h 45m after Collected)
A 36-year-old man surnamed Chen went missing today during a boat diving trip departing from Houbihu, Hengchun, Pingtung. The incident occurred about 4 nautical miles off the coast of Maobitou. The Hengchun Coast Guard received the report at around 10:00 AM and immediately launched a multi-agency search and rescue operation involving land, sea, and air assets. As of 5:00 PM, he had not been found.
The Coast Guard Administration's Hengchun team initiated the search at 10:17 AM upon receiving the report. Private rescue organizations like the Weijing Rescue Association and several private vessels also joined the search, while fire department personnel scoured the shoreline along Baishawan.
According to the Hengchun Coast Guard, Chen is a resident of Changhua County. He was part of a group of six, including a coach and friends. They had departed from Houbihu for a boat dive in the Baishawan area. Chen failed to appear at the designated assembly time, leading to the suspicion that he went missing off Maobitou.
The Coast Guard dispatched the PP-3531 patrol boat immediately, arriving on the scene at 10:35 AM. Later, at 1:12 PM, an additional patrol boat (3599) was deployed to expand the search area. The Southern Branch of the Coast Guard Administration also applied for aerial reconnaissance flights to provide optimal search patterns and guide the vessels on-site.
The Hengchun Coast Guard stated that they will continue to coordinate sea and air forces to perform the search. They also urged the public to strictly follow diving safety protocols and the buddy system, and to pay close attention to sea conditions, calling the 118 emergency hotline if necessary.
The Coast Guard Administration's Hengchun team initiated the search at 10:17 AM upon receiving the report. Private rescue organizations like the Weijing Rescue Association and several private vessels also joined the search, while fire department personnel scoured the shoreline along Baishawan.
According to the Hengchun Coast Guard, Chen is a resident of Changhua County. He was part of a group of six, including a coach and friends. They had departed from Houbihu for a boat dive in the Baishawan area. Chen failed to appear at the designated assembly time, leading to the suspicion that he went missing off Maobitou.
The Coast Guard dispatched the PP-3531 patrol boat immediately, arriving on the scene at 10:35 AM. Later, at 1:12 PM, an additional patrol boat (3599) was deployed to expand the search area. The Southern Branch of the Coast Guard Administration also applied for aerial reconnaissance flights to provide optimal search patterns and guide the vessels on-site.
The Hengchun Coast Guard stated that they will continue to coordinate sea and air forces to perform the search. They also urged the public to strictly follow diving safety protocols and the buddy system, and to pay close attention to sea conditions, calling the 118 emergency hotline if necessary.