A Taiwanese longliner, reported missing last week, remains the subject of a continuing international search and speculation as to what became of the Jin Long Tai No. 6.
According to the Taiwan Fisheries Agency, Jin Long Tai No. 6’s owner reported the vessel being out of contact and the Fisheries Monitoring Center (FMC) immediately contacted competent agencies to begin a search.
US aircraft combed a large area, and merchant vessels from Japan, the Cayman Islands and Panama also assisted in locating the vessel, along with four Taiwanese fishing vessels.
Wreckage located at the surface is believed to be that of Jin Long Tai No. 6 and there is speculation based on the state of the vessel’s hull to support a the assumption that a collision took place, causing Jin Long Tai No. 6 to capsize.
The Taiwan Fisheries Agency stated that the crew of nine were one Taiwanese, one Chinese and seven Indonesians, none of who have yet been accounted for, and the Agency stressed that even though Jin Long Tai No.6 has been missing for more than seven days, the four Taiwanese fishing vessels are continuing their search.
To facilitate the follow-up marine accident investigation, countries in the region are asked to assist in investigating the tracks of ships that passed by the site during the period when this incident happened.
The Fisheries Agency today sent personnel to meet the families of the missing crew and to keep Jin Long Tai No. 6’s owners updated on the progress of the operation.
