Eight of the 24 Filipino crew members of a Liberian-registered crude oil tanker were rescued by Taiwanese authorities after their Singapore-bound vessel caught fire about 17 miles off Taiwan’s Orchid Island Tuesday morning.
In a report posted on its social media account, the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO) in Manila said the Taiwan Rescue and Command Center (RCC) received a distress call from the captain of the Liberian oil tanker “Marquessa” at around 10 a.m. of December 8, saying that a fire reportedly occurred at the ship’s engine room.
Upon receipt of the call, the Taiwan government immediately dispatched 3 helicopters of the National Airborne Service Corps (NASC), one helicopter of the Ministry of National Defense, and one cutter and two patrol boats of the Taiwan Coast Guard Administration to conduct the rescue mission.
A news dispatch from Taiwan said while the fire was in progress, the vessel lost power and the captain reportedly decided to abandon the ship.
TECO said the eight Filipino crew members were airlifted to Taitung Airport and were assessed for possible injuries.
Taiwanese authorities said the remaining 16 crew members stayed on board the vessel until the fire was put out hours later. The ship will be tugged to Kaohsiung port for assessment of the damage and repair. The Taiwan Coast Guard deployed one cutter and two patrol boats to escort and assist the oil tanker.
Quarantine facilities were also prepared as temporary accommodation for the rescued eight Filipino crewmembers.
The National Search and Rescue Command Center of Taiwan said the fire had been brought under control at around 3:30 pm.
The oil tanker Marquessa was on its way to Singapore where it was expected to arrive on December 15.