Photo: China’s Maritime Safety Administration (MSA)

China’s Maritime Safety Administration (MSA) on Saturday published a letter of appreciation on its official WeChat account from the Jeju regional maritime police agency of South Korea, which commends the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) of East China’s Zhejiang Province for its prompt and effective response to an emergency involving a South Korean fishing vessel in waters off Ningbo.

The letter, dated Friday, expressed “heartfelt gratitude” for the Zhejiang MRCC’s swift coordination and rescue efforts when the South Korean fishing vessel 887EOJINHO began taking on water earlier in the week. The Jeju regional maritime police agency expresses its highest respect for the Zhejiang MRCC's longstanding cooperation, the letter read, noting that it extends sincere thanks once again for the rescue operation, and hope to maintain close communication and cooperation in the future.

According to the MSA, the emergency occurred at approximately 5:23 pm on Tuesday when the Zhejiang MRCC received a distress call about a South Korean fishing vessel taking on water and listing dangerously, more than 70 nautical miles east of Xiangshan, Ningbo.

The center launched an emergency response, dispatching the patrol vessel Haixun 0713 from Ningbo MSA, coordinating with the Donghaijiu 131, a rescue ship, and mobilizing commercial and fishing vessels to assist in the rescue.

By 6:24 pm, two passing ships had reached the scene. One quickly established communication with the distressed vessel and instructed the crew to prepare for evacuation. Shortly thereafter, a rescue boat was deployed. At 7:10 pm, a China Coast Guard ship arrived and launched a fast rescue craft to evacuate the crew.

By around 7:20 pm, all eight fishermen had been safely transferred to the Chinese vessel. The operation concluded successfully.

During the two-hour mission, the Zhejiang MRCC coordinated 18 vessels of various types, demonstrating strong efficiency and a firm commitment to regional maritime safety cooperation, according to the MSA.


Global Times