TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Three divers were struck by a fishing boat in the sea 1.3 kilometers southeast of Kenting’s Houbihu beach on Saturday.
The divers had activated their buoyancy control devices and were floating in the ocean waiting to be picked up by their dive boat when a fishing boat, which had departed from Wushi Fishing Harbor, passed by at high speed and struck two of them with its propeller at 4:35 p.m., causing serious injuries, per UDN.
The fishing boat reportedly continued along its route without realizing it had hit the divers. The captain is accused of failing to observe sea conditions and operating at excessive speed.
A 41-year-old man surnamed Liu (劉) suffered multiple lacerations and was taken to Hengchun Tourism Hospital. Another 38-year-old man, also surnamed Liu (劉), sustained life-threatening injuries, including fractures to the right leg, clavicle, scapula, and forearm, along with large lacerations. He was initially treated at Nan Men General Hospital before being transferred to Chang Gung Memorial Hospital.
The third diver was not seriously injured and was kept in the hospital for observation.
The Coast Guard said it is still investigating and gathering evidence to determine responsibility for the accident. Authorities are working to establish whether the divers entered a designated waterway or whether the fishing boat strayed from its intended path. The vessel is being contacted for a follow-up investigation.
A local diving operator said that divers often face danger from passing fishing boats in the Houbihu area due to longstanding disputes over waterway usage. In recent years, there have been numerous incidents involving conflicts between dive activities and passing boats.
Some familiar with local conditions said the location of the accident is not part of Houbihu’s fixed waterway channel. They believe the fishing boat may not be local and may have been unfamiliar with the area.
Local dive shops are calling on authorities to speed up the implementation of water zoning regulations to prevent future accidents.
The Coast Guard Administration said that by 6:30 p.m., it had taken statements from the captains of both the diving and fishing boats.
