The Coast Guard's Chiayi and Penghu arrived at Proana Island in Palau on Saturday. Photo provided by: Coast Guard
Patrol partners: Chiayi and Penghu set off on Friday for a two-day joint patrol in Palau’s exclusive economic zone. This is the Coast Guard’s second diplomatic visit to Palau.
Reported by Hong Chenhong, Wu Junjie and William Herrington/staff editors and correspondent
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The Coast Guard Administration (CGA) set a record for the farthest voyage south, with the Chiayi and Penghu arriving at Proana Island in Palau on Saturday. The island is located about 217 nautical miles (401 kilometers) southwest of Koror, Sorsol, Palau, and 1,220 nautical miles from Taiwan’s southernmost point, Olёluanbi (Eluanbi). It is the southernmost point that Coast Guard ships have reached so far.
The two ships participated in the Coast Guard's second diplomatic visit to Palau. The two ships anchored at Malakal Port on Tuesday last week.
Last year, the Hualien and Taipei visited Palau but did not reach the southern end.
Palau President Suranga Whipps junior and his wife boarded the Chiayi on Thursday to attend a reception in preparation for the Double Ten National Day on Saturday.
The Chiayi and the Penghu set off on Friday for a two-day joint patrol in the Palau exclusive economic zone. The patrol area is about 200 nautical miles southwest of Koror. Palau officials participated with the ships.
Palau Maritime Safety Department and Fisheries and Wildlife Conservation Bureau personnel, Lieutenant Jim Crowlechard and Petty Officer Gerald Lingarn boarded the Penghu to participate in the patrol, the Coast Guard said.
Crollchard thanked the Coast Guard for assisting Palau in patrolling the waters, saying that this cooperative relationship is very important to both parties.
Crollchard pointed out that Proana Island is home to only five people and that this visit is a valuable opportunity to ensure the safety and well-being of the islanders.
Since Taiwan and Palau signed a maritime patrol cooperation agreement in 2019, they have continued to deepen their cooperation through joint patrols, maritime search and rescue drills and personnel exchanges. The Coast Guard stated that this joint patrol will help maintain Palau’s maritime security and further strengthen the maritime law enforcement and response capabilities of both parties.
Palau does not have an independent national coast guard, but relies on its maritime law enforcement agencies and international partners to patrol its exclusive economic zone, combat illegal fishing, and conduct search and rescue operations. Its naval fleet includes the long-range patrol ships PSS Remelik 2 and PSS Kedam, as well as smaller patrol boats and surveillance equipment.
Palau works closely with the U.S. Coast Guard. Under a bilateral agreement, the U.S. Coast Guard can enforce maritime laws in Palau's exclusive economic zone and receive training and other assistance from Japan.
Taiwan’s participation and contribution through diplomatic visits and joint patrols will help expand bilateral maritime law enforcement and response cooperation.
News source: TAIPEI TIMES
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