Tug grounding escalates bulk carrier rescue emergency off Taiwan

A maritime rescue operation off Taiwan’s east coast turned into a serious emergency after a tug dispatched to assist a grounded bulk carrier also ran aground, triggering a helicopter evacuation of its crew, The Maritime Telegraph reports.

 

The incident occurred near the port of Hualien on the morning of January 1, when the Panama-flagged bulk carrier CSE Prosperity Express lost engine power while waiting for a pilot. Strong northeasterly monsoon winds and heavy seas pushed the vessel ashore near the Hualien River mouth. Seventeen seafarers were on board at the time.

 

Port authorities sent two tugs to assist the stranded bulker. During the operation, the tug Taiwangang 13205, carrying five crew members, became entangled in the bulker’s mooring line and lost propulsion. Rough seas then forced the tug onto the shoreline, grounding it a short distance from the disabled bulk carrier.

 

The situation escalated when one tug crew member suffered a head injury during the grounding and began to lose consciousness. Due to high surf and dangerous sea conditions, coast guard and port rescue vessels were unable to approach safely.

 

With surface rescue ruled out, Taiwan’s Air Service Corps deployed a helicopter to assess the scene and evacuate the crew. All five seafarers were airlifted from the tug, with the injured crew member transferred to hospital and the others 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 salvage operations once weather conditions allow.

 

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