Snorkeler missing off northeast coast for 24 hours picked up by fishing boat

A man who went missing while snorkeling off the coast of New Taipei City yesterday was rescued by a fishing boat in Yilan County this morning, Sunday, May 8.

According to reports, the 43-year-old man, named Shen, went snorkeling with a partner, named You, near Magang Fishing Port in Gongliao District at around 8:00 am Saturday. At around noon, You went ashore but was unable to find Shen. You searched for several hours before calling the New Taipei City Fire Department for help.

NTCFD and the National Coast Guard Administration launched a shore and sea search for the missing man late yesterday afternoon but were unable to find him. A land, sea, and air search was resumed early this morning.

At around 10:00 am, it was reported that a fishing boat from Wushi Harbor had found Shen drifting outside the harbor and picked him up. Shen was conscious and his life was not in danger.

Shen said that he had been unable to get back to shore due to a strong current yesterday. As night began to fall, Shen spent around two hours swimming to Guishan Island. Shen tried to signal passing fishing boats with a flashlight but was unable to get their attention so he slept then attempted to swim back to the coast this morning.

Mr Shen’s family headed straight to Wushi Harbor to pick him up. Shen’s mother thank his rescuers for “the best mother’s day gift.”

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