Ningbo fishermen rescue Taiwan ship

A group of fishermen from Ningbo, Zhejiang province spent more than an hour saving 48 fishermen from a burning ship in the north Pacific Ocean on Nov 6.

At 10:10 am, fishermen on the fishing ship "Yongfa No 1" noticed a signal for help from a burning ship two nautical miles away in the north Pacific Ocean. As they drove closer, they found that the burning ship, named "Xiangqing", was from Taiwan and fishermen from the ship were trapped on two rafts nearby.  

"Thick black smoke billowed over the ship and fires were severe," said Li Xinyang, captain of "Yongfa No 1". To save the people on the rafts, they had to drive close to the burning ship which could have exploded.

Without hesitation, fishermen on the "Yongfa No 1" ship launched rescue efforts. They drove the ship toward the rafts and dragged the rafts using hooks and ropes.

"As we approached the rafts, we opened the cabin and took the fishermen on board," added Li.

After an hour, all 48 people on the rafts were saved. They were also offered relief supplies, including drinking water and food.

The Ningbo fishermen sent the case to the Taiwan fishing ship company. At around 1:00 pm, another fishing ship sent by the company arrived at the area of the accident and the 48 rescued fishermen returned on the ship.