east-coast

Russian warships appear off Taiwan’s east coast

Russian navy frigate off east coast of Taiwan
Military Affairs 
Phillip Charlier 1 Comment ,

Two Russian navy ships were seen just 26 nautical miles from Taiwan’s east coast yesterday, Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense confirmed last night. Fisherman reported seeing the two Russian frigates while working east of Dong’ao in Yilan County yesterday. It is quite rare for Russian ships to appear in the area, especially so close to Taiwan’s 24-mile contiguous zone. The Ministry of National Defense confirmed the reports, saying the the ships sailed north to south and left Taiwan’s response area

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Freighter that sank off east coast has more than 80,000 liters of oil and petroleum products aboard: too deep to salvage

composite image of ship and oil containers
Marine and Fisheries 
Phillip Charlier 0 Comment , , , ,

Taiwan port and maritime authorities are monitoring an area off the coast of Taitung County after a freighter carrying 81,000 liters of oil and petroleum products sank after a collision with another ship two days ago. The Taitung-based freighter Dafa No.1 sank 16.2 nautical miles southeast of Fugang Harbor after a collision with the Liberian-flagged oil tanker, Lia, shortly after midnight April 26. See previous story: Taiwanese freighter sinks after collision with oil tanker: crew of 9 rescued Yesterday, it

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Taiwanese freighter sinks after collision with oil tanker: crew of 9 rescued

crew in lifeboat and coast guard personnel
Marine and Fisheries 
Phillip Charlier 0 Comment , , , ,

Taiwan’s coast guard rescued 9 people who were aboard a freighter that sank off Taiwan’s east coast after being hit by a oil tanker shortly after midnight this morning, April 26. The Taiwanese cargo ship Dafa No.1 was carrying supplies from Fugang Harbor, Taitung to Orchid Island when it was hit by the 42,010 gross-ton Liberian-registered oil tanker Lia (IMO: 9417751) traveling between Kuwait and South Korea. Keelung Coastal Radio picked up a distress call from the Dafa No.1 saying that

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Taiwan train crash a “Hell on Earth:” even experienced search and rescue personnel brought to tears

Taroko class express train
Disaster 
Phillip Charlier 0 Comment , , ,

The aftermath of a train crash and derailment in Hualien County was a “purgatory on earth” said an exhausted member of a search and rescue team, as as he exited the tunnel at the end of a long shift. “I have served on many rescue missions, but this is the first time I shed tears.” On the evening of April 2, 2021, around 9 hours after a packed-to-capacity express train travelling at more than 100 kilometers per hour smashed into

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Six megamouth sharks caught in four days: conservation groups call for catch ban

Marine and Fisheries 
Phillip Charlier 2 Comments , , ,

Fishermen operating off the coast of Hualien County on Taiwan’s east coast caught six megamouth sharks between June 15 – 18, raising the concerns of environmental groups, who are calling for protection of the mysterious species. Global Knowledge The megamouth shark ( Megachasma pelagios ) was first discovered by scientists in 1976, and named in 1983. According to scientific papers, including this one, only around 100 specimens have been observed or caught as of 2018. When the megamouth sharks are

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Manta Ray Rehabilitated: What’s Next?

a giant oceanic manta ray is lifted out of a transport unit in Taitung County Taiwan February 16, 2017
Marine and Fisheries 
Phillip Charlier 2 Comments , ,

A giant oceanic manta ray (Manta birostris) rescued after being caught as by-catch in a fisherman’s net off the coast of Hualian County in February, has adapted well to its captive environment. Researchers at the Eastern Marine Biology Research Center say that the manta ray’s injuries have healed, and the 150 kilogram animal is consuming 10 to 15 kilograms of Antarctic krill every day. The ray was moved to a pool at the research facility after being caught on February

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East Coast Highway Project Halted by Archeologists

Human remains at an archaeological site in Taiwan
Culture 
Phillip Charlier 0 Comment , , , , ,

Construction of the Suhua Highway Improvement project has been halted after a significant archaeological site was discovered. The site is believed to be a relatively intact 2, 000 year-old remnant of the Shihsanhang culture, containing intact dwellings and human remains. While officials have stated that completion of the highway project may be delayed for six months or more, researchers suggest that it may take many years for a proper excavation to be carried out. Alterations to the original path of the highway

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