Fiery sea rescue saves 80-plus

With little heed of the heat and fatigue that threatened their own safety, two men led efforts to save more than 80 people from a burning tourist boat in the Taiwan Strait. This past March, during the 31st Annual Kiwanis Asia-Pacific Convention in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, Kiwanis International Foundation President Stan Storey presented Fu-Shan Lee and Jen-Shan Chang with Robert P. Connelly Medals for Heroism for their roles in the August 29, 2005, rescue.

The Kiwanis Club of Chin Lan, Kao Hsiung City, Taiwan, nominated the pair for Foundation recognition.

According to the China Times newspaper, the tour boat Visitor left Tungkang Wharf in Pingtung County, bound for the resort island of Hsiao Liu-chiu. It was a holiday; so, the craft was nearly full of vacationers. Less than 10 minutes from shore, the boat slowed, and smoke billowed from the stern, followed by fire and an explosion.

Lee, captain of a fishing boat, was catching shrimp about 1.5 nautical miles from the Visitor. When he noticed the smoke, he ordered his crew to speed to the scene. Other boats were nearby but did not approach the burning craft because of the heat. Nevertheless, Lee initiated a rescue, tossing ropes to people in the choppy water. He and his crew lifted others from life rafts one-by-one until 63 men, women, and children were aboard.

“To the end, I lost all my energy, and my hands were shaking,” Lee told the China Times.

Chan was a passenger aboard the Visitor. After securing his family in a rescue boat, he began lifting other people from the water into the craft. Because of the rough sea, he lost his strength hauling people over the boat’s tall side. Dangling over the railing but unable to pull, he held his hands down to the water so five floating passengers could hold on. He is credited for saving about 20 people.

The Robert P. Connelly Medal for Heroism honors those who risk death or physical harm when “they might just as well have passed along the way.” For more details about the award and criteria for nomination, click here.