NEW COAST GUARD PATROL SHIP COMMISSIONED
ROC Central News Agency
2005-04-29 21:03:59
Taipei, April 29 (CNA) Premier Frank Hsieh presided over the commissioning of a new locally built coast guard patrol vessel at a shipyard in the southern port city of Kaohsiung Friday.
Addressing the ceremony, Hsieh said he hopes the commissioning of the "Nantou" vessel will help beef up the coast guard's patrol ability to better protect the nation's maritime rights.
The 500-ton "Nantou" patrol vessel, carrying a price tag of NT$500 million (US$16.05 million), is capable of accommodating 38 coast guard officers and sailing at a maximum speed of 30 knots.
Hsieh said the Coast Guard Administration has increased patrols in Taiwan's territorial waters and its 200-mile exclusive economic zone, including waters surrounding the disputed Tiaoyutai Islands as well as the Tungsha (Pratas) Islands and the Nansha (Spratly) Islands in the South China Sea. "With the 'Nantou' vessel commissioned into service, the coast guard will be able to further increase the frequency of patrols and more effectively protect our marine resources and other rights in the exclusive economic zones, the continental shelf and the open sea, " Hsieh said.
Speaking on the same occasion, Coast Guard Administration Director-General Shi Hwei-you said the "Nantou" vessel is designed to police the nation's territorial waters and exclusive economic zones as well as offer emergency relief services.
(By Sofia Wu)
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