A rescue operation off Taiwan’s east coast took an unexpected turn when a tug dispatched to assist a grounded bulk carrier was itself disabled, forcing authorities to airlift the tug’s crew by helicopter.
The Panama-flagged bulker CSE Prosperity Express was approaching the port of Hualien on the morning of January 1 when it reportedly lost power while waiting for a pilot in strong northeasterly monsoon conditions. Pushed toward shore by wind and waves, the vessel ran aground on a beach north of the Hualien River mouth. Seventeen crewmembers were on board at the time.
Port authorities ordered two tugs to assist the stranded bulker. One of them, Taiwangang 13205, with five crewmembers aboard, became entangled in the bulker’s mooring line while attempting to secure the vessel, and lost power. Heavy seas drove the tug onto the shoreline, leaving it grounded only a short distance from the disabled bulker.
During the impact with the shore, one crew member aboard the tug suffered a head injury and began losing consciousness. Due to high surf and dangerous sea conditions, coast guard and port rescue boats were unable to reach the tug safely.
With surface rescue impossible, Taiwan’s Air Service Corps was called in. A helicopter conducted an aerial assessment and airlifted all five crewmembers from the stranded tug. The injured seafarer was transferred to hospital for treatment, while the remaining crew were brought safely ashore.
Authorities said the crew of the CSE Prosperity Express was not in immediate danger. A larger tug was later dispatched from Keelung to continue the salvage operation once conditions allowed.
