Kenting is a summer water activity paradise. Last year, the Fire Department and the Coast Guard introduced the latest remote-controlled powered lifebuoy. Yesterday, due to unfavorable sea conditions, a person surnamed Lin, a solo snorkeler in the Wanlitong area of Hengchun, encountered strong winds and waves. Wanlitong is a very cool beach to snorkel, and it is mentioned in our post about places to snorkel safely in Kenting.
Overexerted and unable to swim back to shore, they shouted for help. Coast Guard personnel arrived and deployed the remote-controlled powered lifebuoy, quickly bringing the individual back to the shore. The team described it as a “miraculous ally (神隊友)” for water rescue and drowning prevention.
Yesterday around 4:00 PM, the Southern Sub-Division of the Coast Guard Administration’s 6th Coast Patrol Flotilla at Shanhai Inspection Station received a report from the public. A male snorkeler was reported to be snorkeling in the Wanlitong area. Due to strong winds and waves, he became exhausted and could not swim back to the shore.
The Shanhai Inspection Station promptly dispatched personnel for rescue. Upon arrival, they found the snorkeler approximately 50 meters away from the shore. A remote-controlled powered lifebuoy was deployed and used to tow one team member towards the snorkeler for assistance. The snorkeler was swiftly brought back to the shore.
It is understood that the snorkeler surnamed Lin utilized his vacation time to travel south to Wanlitong in Pingtung for snorkeling. The Kenting region experienced intermittent heavy rain yesterday morning, and though the rain stopped in the afternoon, the sea conditions remained unfavorable. Equipped with gear, the visitor ventured alone for snorkeling.
We already reported another case, when this rain caused an incident in Nanwan, where a swimmer was rescued by hero rescuers on the jetski, who happened to be training nearby. You can read more about it here.
Unexpectedly, offshore currents carried him away, finding himself drifting farther from the shore and feeling physically exhausted. He shouted for help and was rescued. He sustained only minor abrasions on his limbs and expressed gratitude to the coast guard personnel. Afterward, he returned to his accommodations to rest.
Lin is being taken care of by lifeguards from Shanhai
To enhance maritime rescue speed, the Pingtung County Fire Bureau and the Coast Guard Administration introduced remote-controlled powered lifebuoys last year. These can be used with drones to confirm the location of drowning victims. With a maximum range of 500 meters and a top speed of 30 kilometers per hour, they are said to be faster than even skilled swimmers. You can read more about them in this article.
This remote controller drone just served its purpose well
Drowning victims can use the electric-powered lifebuoys to float on the sea and await rescue. Both organizations have strengthened equipment familiarity through various drills and exercises, ensuring that operational efficiency is significantly improved during actual emergencies.