Semi-submersible tour boat grounds in Kenting, 17 passengers safely evacuated

The semi-submersible tourist vessel "Little Dolphin 1" ran aground early on the 26th about 150 meters off the coast of the Hongchaikeng Fishing Port in Pingtung County, southern Taiwan, with a total of 17 passengers on board. Designed with a submersibility feature allowing short stays underwater, the tourist boat has long attracted numerous visitors looking for a unique underwater experience. Following the grounding, crew members independently contacted a nearby rescue vessel for towing. However, the rescue vessel unexpectedly became trapped in the shallow waters near Hongchaikeng as well, leaving both boats unable to leave the area.

In response to the situation, the Coast Guard promptly rushed to the scene to assist in the safe evacuation of the crew members and passengers from both vessels. Coast Guard rescue personnel first evacuated the passengers on board "Little Dolphin 1" to a safe area and coordinated rescue efforts for the rescue vessel, ultimately ensuring that all passengers were out of danger. Throughout the rescue operation, the Coast Guard utilized lifeboats and life rings while maintaining real-time radio communication with crew members to ensure the smooth progress of the operation.

Hongchaikeng Fishing Port is located at the southern tip of Kenting National Park, and its surrounding waters are known for shallow shoals and significant tidal changes. In recent years, with the rise of the sightseeing boat industry, many small tourist vessels have operated marine tourism activities in this area, which has also brought about numerous safety concerns. This grounding incident serves as a fresh reminder to relevant authorities that tourist boats navigating near shallow waters must strictly adhere to navigation rules and ensure that vessels are equipped with adequate life-saving gear and safety training.

From an economic perspective, as one of Taiwan's most representative travel destinations, Kenting relies heavily on the tourist boat industry to contribute significantly to the local economy. Accidents of this nature not only pose risks to passenger safety, but can also undermine travelers' trust in the local tourism environment, thereby affecting the long-term development of the tourism sector. Consequently, local governments and tourist boat operators may need to step up safety supervision, potentially reducing the probability of similar incidents through measures such as installing navigational warnings, enhancing professional training for crew members, and strengthening vessel inspections.

This rescue operation also highlights the crucial role of the Coast Guard in maritime rescue missions. Since its establishment, the Coast Guard has accumulated extensive experience in marine rescue and continues to update its rescue equipment and operational procedures. Through this incident, the Coast Guard has once again demonstrated its rapid response and efficient handling capabilities regarding unexpected maritime accidents, while also reminding the public to pay attention to vessels' safety certifications and life-saving equipment when participating in marine tourism activities, and to follow the instructions of crew members to ensure personal safety.