TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The Coast Guard on Sunday seized an unmarked vessel suspected to be Chinese in restricted waters off northwest Taiwan.
At 8 a.m., a Coast Guard patrol boat investigated a suspicious vessel in restricted waters about 20 nautical miles (37 km) northwest of Yongan Fishing Port in Taoyuan's Xinwu District, per CNA. When the patrol boat neared the vessel, Coast Guard officers saw that the ship was unmarked and broadcast an order for it to stop for inspection.
The vessel refused to comply and evaded inspection by moving in a zigzag pattern. The Coast Guard eventually intercepted the vessel.
The unregistered fuel freighter's name was deliberately removed, making it a "three-nos" ship, meaning it has no name, port of registry, or ship registration. The Coast Guard suspects it was attempting to fuel other Chinese vessels operating illegally in the area.
The ship was carrying approximately 500,000 liters of fuel, and all six crew members on board were suspected Chinese nationals, though none possessed any identification documents. The vessel has since been escorted back to the Port of Taipei.
The Coast Guard said that such unmarked Chinese ships frequently attempt to cross into northern Taiwan’s waters for illegal operations.
Such intrusions are dealt with under the Cross-Strait Act which may include actions such as expulsion, detention, investigation, confiscation of the vessel, and administrative fines. According to the act, the responsible authority must issue a ruling on the detained vessel within three months.
The Coast Guard said that since the six crew members are suspected to be Chinese nationals, the local patrol unit will require them to contact their relatives or friends via messaging apps to provide IDs and photos for verification. In the meantime, the crew members will be held in the local Coast Guard detention center.
Once their identities are confirmed, the Coast Guard said the six suspects will be subject to administrative penalties under relevant regulations. They will only be deported after paying their fines.
To counter these activities, the Coast Guard said it has strengthened routine patrols and will carry out enforcement actions. The Coast Guard said patrols specifically target fuel supply ships to cut off logistical support for illegal Chinese operations.
The public is urged to report any illegal or suspicious maritime activities by calling the Coast Guard’s "118" hotline.
