TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan's Coast Guard Administration and the National Rescue Command Center announced on Monday (April 8) that they are still searching for the fishing vessel "Hung Hsing Yu," which lost contact after the Hualien earthquake.
As of today, no related reports have been received.
The "Hung Hsing Yu," a fishing boat from Donggang, Pingtung, set sail from Donggang Fishing Port on April 3, and lost contact after encountering the 7.2 magnitude earthquake in Hualien. Relatives of the crew posted a plea for help on the internet on April 6, reporting to the Donggang Fishery Radio Station and leaving a message under a post by Pingtung County Mayor Chou Chun-mi, saying "Mayor, save lives."
The boat, carrying captain Chen and two Indonesian fishermen, was last located 18.5 nautical miles west of Maobitou.
The Fisheries Agency of the Ministry of Agriculture issued a notice at 8:30 p.m. on April 7, stating that the "Hung Hsing Yu" had not contacted family members after leaving the port and was suspected of losing contact.
The Coast Guard has dispatched nine vessels from Kaohsiung and Hengchun to assist in the search. The fleet also dispatched the ROC Coast Guard 1,000-ton cutter Changhua, CG1001, and Patrol Vessel No.7.
The National Rescue Command Center also dispatched two helicopters, and the Donggang Fishery Radio Station and Keelung Radio also broadcasted for nearby ships to assist in the search, but the vessel has not yet been found.
