Taiwan uses water cannon to drive Chinese fishing boat from restricted waters

Taiwan’s Coast Guard Administration used a water cannon to drive a mainland Chinese fishing vessel out of restricted waters near Dongsha Island, authorities said on Friday. The incident occurred on October 1, about 27 nautical miles east of the Taiwanese-controlled island, also known as Pratas Island. The agency said its patrol vessel Yunlin first sprayed water into the air as a warning before directing the stream towards the fishing boat Jin Sha’s wheelhouse.

Taiwan said the Jin Sha and another mainland vessel, the Yue Hui Dong Yu 75066, had been anchored about eight nautical miles inside waters restricted to mainland Chinese vessels. The Jin Sha allegedly refused to leave after three radio warnings, while the other boat departed. The water cannon was used for about 90 seconds.

The Coast Guard Administration said the stream was directed away from crew members on deck and stopped once the boat began leaving. No official injuries were reported. The agency said the Jin Sha later suffered engine failure and lost power.

At the fishermen’s request, the Yunlin provided 35 meals before the vessel was towed outside the restricted waters on Thursday. The boat was handed over on Friday morning to the Chinese work vessel Haiyang Shiyou 681 for return transport. Taiwan also said it detained two mainland fishing vessels near the Penghu Islands on Wednesday and Thursday and arrested 14 crew members.

Beijing claims Taiwan and does not recognise Taipei’s restrictions. Taiwan’s rules define prohibited waters as extending 12 nautical miles from its baseline and restricted waters as extending to 24 nautical miles.