The Longshun freighter tilted off the coast of Changhua.

(Photographed by reporter Zhang Xuanzhe)

[Reporter Zhang Xuanzhe/Taichung Report] The northeast monsoon is strong today. The South American Gaia-registered Longshun ship sailed through the waters of the Changhua wind field this morning. The central branch immediately notified the Taichung Marine Patrol to send personnel to help, but due to the strong current and bad walruses, the patrol boat was unable to approach and pick up. The air crew helicopter rescued 4 people, and 3 people stayed on board, waiting for the tugboat to rescue.

The cargo ship Longshun with a gross tonnage of 486 tons sailed from Kaohsiung Port to Busan Port, South Korea. The 7 people on board were all Chinese nationals. The ship carried about 100 tons of frozen meat and 8 containers, 3 of which were empty.

The Coast Guard pointed out that at 11:30 this morning, it was reported that the Longshun ship had tilted 20 degrees in the waters 15 miles off Changhua Fangyuan, and urgently notified the Coast Guard of the Central Mobile Coast Guard Jinmen Ship and the Taipei Ship to help, and the Air Crew Corps Black Hawk helicopters were also dispatched to join the rescue.

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Due to the excessive waves, the helicopter could not be hoisted on the ship. The crew members wore life jackets and jumped into the sea to be rescued. The crew members were hoisted into the cabin. One crew member was hoisted by the Black Hawk helicopter of the Air Crew Corps and returned to Qingquangang Airport. The other 3 crew members were rescued by the helicopter. Transfer to Chiayi Airport.

At present, the freighter has resumed the operation of the generator, and continues to pump out the accumulated water in the cabin. There is no risk of sinking at present. The captain is currently looking for the Kaohsiung towage operator. At night, it continues to drift southwards off the coast of Yunlin, and the ships of the Coast Guard continue to guard .

The Coast Guard pointed out that all seven crew members had been vaccinated with three doses of the Wuhan pneumonia vaccine, and all had no fever or respiratory symptoms.

The Central Navigation Center of the Port Bureau requested the ship to close the oil valve, and issued a ship announcement to inform other ships to pay attention. At the same time, Changhua Channel VTS was asked to assist in broadcasting to avoid collisions between ships.

Helicopter lift rescue crew.

(Photographed by reporter Zhang Xuanzhe)