Taiwan Coast Guard Rescues Crew from Stranded Tanker during Severe Storm

The Taiwan Coast Guard recently conducted a daring rescue operation to save the crew of a product tanker, the Liquid Gem, which had lost power and dragged anchor during a severe storm. Despite adverse weather conditions, the Coast Guard successfully rescued 14 crew members, with two being pulled from the water. Unfortunately, one crew member remains missing following the incident.

The Coast Guard had noticed abnormal navigation patterns on the Hong Kong-managed tanker, which had been anchored offshore since late November. Radar surveillance revealed that the vessel was drifting towards the coast at speeds of up to 2 knots. The Coast Guard sprang into action when the vessel was just half a mile west of Taichung Harbor, dispatching resources to assist.

Due to the high winds and shallow waters, the Coast Guard faced challenges in stopping the vessel from moving towards shore. A hoist operation was not possible due to wind safety concerns. With the tanker just 30 meters from shore, the Coast Guard had to think creatively to rescue the crew. They utilized a crane from the port to rescue 12 crew members from the vessel, while local media reports indicate that three crew members had jumped into the water, with two being rescued.

As the rescue operation unfolded, helicopters were launched to search for the missing crew member, a 47-year-old Chinese national. The tanker ultimately came to rest at a 15-degree angle near the breakwater. Precautionary measures, such as deploying oil spill equipment, were taken in case of any potential fuel release from the vessel. The port authority confirmed that the tanker was empty and estimated that there were only 110 tons of fuel aboard.

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