A Taiwanese longliner, CHU HUAI NO.668, notified on 21 March 2023 that an Indonesian crew was injured during fishing operation on the high seas of the Pacific Ocean. Noting that the crew’s head was bleeding and in consideration of crew’s safety, the concerned owner and captain took the plunge, decided to stop operation, and rushed for 470 nm to Port Apia, Samoa to send the crew to hospital, even though such decision will cost the owner around 500,000 New Taiwan Dollars.

　　According to the Taiwan’s Fisheries Agency (TFA), CHU HUAI NO.668 was operating on the high seas of the Pacific Ocean, with one Taiwanese captain and thirteen Indonesian crew onboard. On 21 March, CHU HUAI NO.668 notified the TFA’s Fisheries Monitoring Center (FMC) that one Indonesian crew suffered from head injury due to negligence while the vessel was operating in the area around 26° 59’ S to 167° 55’ W. The captain immediately contacted a doctor through the Consultation Mechanism for Crew Sickness and Injury at Sea. Upon the assessment by the doctor that it was imperative to send the crew to hospital, the vessel owner promptly stopped fishing operation and rushed to Port Apia, Samoa, which is 470 nm (around three days of navigation) away. On 23 March, the vessel arrived at Port Apia, and with the assistance of the local agent, the crew was sent to hospital for surgery.

　　The TFA indicates that, the vessel owner stopped fishing operation without any hesitation and put crew’s safety in the first place, regardless of the cost of fuel (around 180,000 New Taiwan Dollars), loss of fishing days, etc. All these aims to protect the crew’s life and safety which are priceless. The TFA will continue paying close attention to the conditions of the injured crew, and would also like to thank the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Taiwan for liaising with the government of Samoa for providing necessary help. The TFA also urges all Taiwanese vessels and crew at sea to conduct fishing operation with due caution. In the event of any emergencies, please contact the FMC at once for timely and necessary assistance.

　　　　Contact person: Deputy Director, Ms Fern-lan CHEN

　　　　E-mail: fernlan@ms1.fa.gov.tw

  CHU HUAI NO.668

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