Taiwan Coast Guard Uses Water Cannon on Chinese Fishing Vessel | Mariner News
The Taiwan Coast Guard (TCG) deployed water cannons against a Chinese fishing vessel on October 1 after it reportedly illegally entered Taiwan’s waters off Dongsha and refused repeated commands to leave. This marks a notable escalation in the TCG’s enforcement actions against Chinese fishing vessels operating in contested maritime zones.
The TCG patrol boat Yunlin engaged the fishing vessel Jin Sha, which was detected about 15.5 nautical miles northeast of Dongsha, part of the Pratas Island atoll. After three radio warnings went unheeded, the Yunlin fired its water cannon for approximately 30 seconds. When the Jin Sha continued to disregard instructions, the TCG vessel repositioned and discharged its water cannon again for 90 seconds. A second Chinese fishing vessel in the area, Yue Hui Dong Yu 75066, complied with instructions and departed.
This incident follows other recent TCG interdictions. On September 26, the TCG seized a Chinese fishing vessel operating illegally near Mudouyu, the northernmost island in the Taiwan Strait. Four days later, on September 30, another Chinese fishing vessel was boarded and searched 22 nautical miles northwest of Huayu Island in the Penghu archipelago, with 5,000 kg of fish found aboard before being escorted to port.
The direct use of non-lethal force by the TCG, rather than immediate boarding or seizure, indicates a more assertive operational posture in safeguarding its claimed waters. This shift suggests an increased willingness to employ graduated force to deter incursions, which could impact operational risk assessments for vessels navigating near disputed maritime boundaries in the region. The sustained application of water cannons also signals Taiwan’s firm intent to enforce its jurisdiction, potentially influencing future fishing vessel conduct and regional maritime stability.
