The Coast Guard Administration (CGA) yesterday launched a patrol of the country's northernmost territories with the first-ever participation by civilians, marking a concrete step taken by the coast guard to bring people closer to the ocean.
A total of 30 civilians -- mostly middle-school teachers and college students -- saw, some for the first time in their lives, the three islets of Pengchiayu, Mienhua and Huapin which comprise Taiwan's northernmost sea boundaries.
The visitors were taken to the area by the coast guard's largest patrol vessel, which set out from Keelung Harbor yesterday morning.
For most of the guests, it was there first time at sea. They were exhilarated to take the patrol trip and enjoy the once-in-a-lifetime experience.
The patrol was the first of 36 boat trips that the coast guard has arranged for civilians in the next two months. These trips are open only to school teachers and college students. More than 700 people have registered for the voyages.
At a press conference prior to the start of the journey yesterday, CGA Director Wang Chun (
"Taiwan is an ocean state. We should embrace the ocean," Wang said. "More importantly, we should start to learn how to protect the ocean, since ocean resources are dwindling."
Wang also announced that, in order to extend its patrol range, the coast guard is to build make-shift piers at Tungsha Island in the south and at the Pengchiayu islet in the north.
"The Executive Yuan has just approved a NT$40 million budget for the CGA to build the pier in Tungsha. Next year, we will get another NT$100 million budget for the project," Wang said.
A similar pier will be built for Pengchiayu islet, which will also get a new heliport, Wang said.
"The heliport will provide refueling services to our helicopters. It will greatly extend the patrol range of our helicopters," Wang said.
The Pengchiayu islet used to be controlled by the military but was taken over by the coast guard three years ago. If the islet is to have a heliport and pier, it could become a forward deployment base for the coast guard's patrol ships and helicopters.
Since early this year, the coast guard has intensified its patrols of seas in the north because of fishing disputes with Japan, especially around the Tiaoyutai islands.
More recently, the coast guard also beefed up its patrols in seas south of the country after the Philippines repeatedly detained Taiwanese fishing boats it accused of illegally fishing in its waters.
As asked about the effect of the intensified sea patrols, Wang said,that it might not be so obvious
"We are limited in our ability to protect fishing boats working in areas close to other countries' waters. We do hope our fishermen will not cross the line," he said.
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