Taiwan is four sides surrounded by water; the coastline of the main Taiwan island and offshore island is 1,820 km in total. In response to the country’s ocean policy, the government has been promoting “ocean recreation”, “blue highways” and “fishing port tourism.” The boom of coastal and ocean recreational activities is followed by an increase of accidents occurred along the coast and in port areas. As there are lots of fishing boats working in ports or in surrounding waters, when an accident occurs at rough sea, rescuers can hardly find the drifting victims or boats due to high waves or poor visibility caused by the poor weather. The use of helicopter together with the ocean rescue force therefore can largely reduce the search time.
To strengthen disaster preparedness, prevention and rescue works; ameliorate the expertise of frontline personnel; and enhance its disaster prevention, rescue and response capability, NASC of MOI dispatched AS-365 and UH-1H helicopters of Squadrons 1 and 2 of the 1st Wing (stationed at Songshan Airport) to join the “2016 Airborne Service Helicopter Lifting and Ascend/Descend Training” held by Coat Guard Administration (CGA) on December 5 to 30. To simulate scenarios that may happen in open waters, aircrafts were deployed to help the crew to be familiar with air rescue skills that are often used in open waters; maximize their patrol capacity; be equipped with first-aid and flight safety related knowledge, skills and concepts; be familiar with reconnaissance patrol equipment, survival gears and all types of lifesaving knowledge and skills.
For example, on January 23 of 2016, a Chinese fishing boat (Zheng Yuan Yu No. 818) ran aground nearby the mouth of Budai Port in Chiayi. The sea was rough that day and the condition was grim for all four fishermen on board as the boat started to take on water. On June 17 of the same year, when SuperStar Aquarius was cruising offshore from Keelung, a male passenger suddenly felt sick as his blood pressure started to drop. On July 13, a young boy who swam in the open sea of Renho in Hualien could not swim back to the shore and his friends called for help. Upon receipt of the said reports, NASC immediately dispatched ideal fleet and helicopter to implement the rescue mission and all of these count on the efforts of both NASC and COA.
Establish inter-departmental rescue capacity and integrate the air and sea rescue efficiency can rescue the victims in the first minute and effectively enhance the government’s disaster prevention, rescue and response capabilities. Assuring the life and asset safety of all nationals at sea is undoubtedly our responsibility.