TAIPEI (TVBS News) — The Ocean Affairs Council (OAC) announced Wednesday the establishment of a national rescue team in Taiwan. This team includes 155 local crews from the nation's flagged vessels who will join the US Coast Guard's Automated Mutual Assistance Vessel Rescue System (AMVER) program.
Premier Chen Chien-jen emphasized that this step represents an essential move in deepening marine affairs cooperation between Taiwan and the US. The announcement was made at the opening ceremony at Taipei 101, with figures like Premier Chen, the Minister of OAC, and the Director of the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) in attendance.
The AMVER program was created to initiate swift rescue missions upon detecting ships in distress. It allows governments worldwide to respond efficiently when maritime emergencies arise at sea while enhancing search and rescue functions and promoting cooperation among neighboring countries.
Premier Chen thanked OAC Minister Kuan Bi-ling for her commitment to guarding domestic marine operations held by many of Taiwan's merchant and fishing vessels. He praised this dedication for yielding outstanding results, with 4,593 boats and 25,319 people rescued since its inception in 2001.
Minister Kuan acknowledged the influence of the AMVER program in appealing to the participation of vessels worldwide. She demonstrated how AMVER's powerful system has mobilized global coastguard activity in Taiwan, with 36 Taiwanese merchant ships cooperating with rescue missions on the high seas in the Pacific and Atlantic.
Establishing a national AMVER rescue team signifies strengthened cooperation between Taiwan and the US for the prospects of international maritime safety. Moreover, the OAC recognized that as the government facilitates more crews to join the AMVER, it also implies a much safer and more regulated environment for all Taiwanese vessels.
