TAICHUNG, Taiwan — October 8, 2025 — The Third Coast Guard Team of the Coast Guard Administration’s Fleet Division successfully rescued a Filipino crew member aboard a Panamanian-registered cargo vessel yesterday, October 7, after he reportedly lost consciousness and showed symptoms of a stroke while at sea.
Authorities said the incident occurred on Tuesday and was reported to the Coast Guard in the morning, prompting the Taichung Coast Guard to launch a PP-10035 patrol vessel for an emergency medical evacuation. An ambulance was also alerted to stand by at the dock for immediate hospital transfer.
According to the Coast Guard, the PP-10035 departed promptly after receiving the distress call and reached the anchorage area near Taichung Harbor around 11:25 a.m. The rescue team coordinated with the cargo ship’s crew to transfer the patient despite a height difference of several meters between the two vessels. Using the rise and fall of the waves, the Coast Guard safely conducted the transfer at approximately 12:37 p.m.
After an initial assessment confirmed that the crew member was conscious, the patrol vessel sped back to the Taichung Harbor Coast Guard Base, arriving at 1:05 p.m. The patient was immediately transported by ambulance to Wuchi Tong General Hospital for further medical treatment.
In a statement, the Taichung Coast Guard emphasized that maritime rescue and relief operations remain one of their top priorities. The agency reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring the safety of lives and property at sea.
They also reminded the public that anyone who encounters an emergency at sea can dial the Coast Guard’s 118 hotline for immediate assistance.