The Chinese mainland's maritime safety authorities conducted an emergency search-and-rescue drill for the first time ever in shallow waters off the Taiwan island on Saturday.
The location of the drill was in the southern section of the Taiwan Strait.
Organized by the Fujian Maritime Safety Administration in collaboration with the Donghai Rescue Bureau, the drill involved a total of four vessels. During the exercise, the participating units responded promptly to a simulated distress call and worked together to extinguish a mock fire on a transport ship.
Following the fire drill, the participants carried out another exercise focused on rescuing individuals who had fallen overboard, which took place amid challenging rough-wave conditions. Onboard the command vessel Haixun 06, operations proceeded smoothly under full control.
"This rescue drill has further enhanced the coordination and cooperation among various units and promoted our capacity to handle accidents and dangerous situations of medium and far-sea vessels under adverse sea conditions. It has also effectively maintained the navigation order of ships through special law enforcement, prevented the risk of collisions of merchant and fishing vessels, and ensured the safety of ship navigation," said Wu Gongfeng, deputy director of the Command Center of the Fujian Maritime Safety Administration.
After the exercise, a formation of rescue vessels patrolled the central Strait and conducted law-enforcement operations.
Mainland’s maritime safety authorities hold emergency drill for the first time in shallow waters off Taiwan
Mainland’s maritime safety authorities hold emergency drill for the first time in shallow waters off Taiwan
Mainland’s maritime safety authorities hold emergency drill for the first time in shallow waters off Taiwan
