A 53-foot replica of a Ming Dynasty wooden sailboat “Princess Tai-Ping” was capsized at Taipei time 4:18am on April 26, 2009(Taiwan Time, Hawaii Time was 10:18am on April 25). The location was at N 24°51’and E 122°20’, about 30 nautical miles away from Su-ao port, Taiwan. All 11 crew members were rescued safely by helicopters of the Taiwan Coast Guard at 7:37am . Helicopters carried all rescued crew to hospitals in Taipei. Only Thomas William Cook had an injury in his neck and hand. The rest of the crew were not injured or sustained minor injuries.
Among 11 crew members, Nelson Liu(Skipper) and Angela Hsiu-ying Chao are from Taiwan, Yuquan Tang from China, Jason Arnold, Larz Stewart, John Hunter, Elizabeth Zeiger, and Jack Durham and are recruited in Hawaii. Their families have already been contacted by themselves.
Taipei Economic & Cultural Office in Honolulu first received a call from the U. S. Coast Guard in Los Angeles that they detected abnormal satellite signals from the Princess Tai-Ping at 8:51am on April 25(HST). A second phone call was received from the Taiwan Rescue Command Center requesting the satellite phone number and the namelist of the crew of Princess Tai-Ping.
The Princess Tai-Ping visited Hawaii last December. Their historical expedition and courage were admired by many people. They were very popular with the local Chinese community for their efforts in preserving the Chinese culture. While in Hawaii, the Princess Tai-Ping sailed with the Polynesian sailboat “Hokulea”, creating much interest as both vessels represent cultural pride to their respective groups.
Taipei Economic & Cultural Office in Honolulu expressed its gratitude to the U. S. Coast Guard, Republic of China (Taiwan) Coast Guard and the its Rescue Command Center for their joint efforts in the successful rescue of the entire crew. President-Elect of Hawaii United Chinese Society Ginny Young has also spoken over the phone with Skipper Liu, and sends her regards.
