Three Kiribati fishermen were rescued by China fishing vessel in Nauru sea area after spending 8 days adrift at sea. Yang Xiangming, captain of Xinshiji 111 confirmed that 3 Kiribati fishermen - Ueanmatang Bokatu, Tiate and Matang Tamwait are now safe and healthy. Water,food and accommodations have been properly arranged.

"Everybody's safe. Their body temperature is in normal range, and everybody is in good spirit. We will take them home.” said the captain.

At 10:05a.m. local time on April 11, 2020, Ocean Family ’s large tuna purse seine vessel Xinshiji 111, which was operating in the Marshall Sea area, received a maritime rescue information that 3 Kiribati fishermen and their boat were missing in area of NE. Captain Yang immediately commanded the vessel heading to the target sea area at full speed and launched search and rescue operations. Meanwhile, Captain Yang also shared the information with other three sister vessels  - Xinshiji 112, Xiangfa 8 and Shunfa 8 to coordinate search and rescue actions. At 2:00 p.m. local time on April 15, 2020, after sailing for more than 500 nautical miles, Xinshiji 111 found an orange small boat in the Nauru waters at latitude 1 degree 15 minutes north and longitude 168 degrees 22 minutes. Captain Yang sent life boat to tow the boat and successfully rescued three fishermen.

The China vessel provided water and food to the 3 fishermen and conducted body check immediately. Fortunately, there was no imminent threat to their lives except for deprivation of body fluids. After a period of rest and recovery, their body temperature was normal and the mental state was good. Captain Yang then had a chance to confirm with them that Ueanmatang Bokatu, Tiate and Matang Tamwait went fishing 8 days ago. Their boat lost power and drifted at sea due to machine failure. They have been stranded at sea for 8 days; food and water are running out when Xinshiji 11 found them.

Life-saving at sea is an international humanitarian obligation, and it also demonstrates friendship between China and Kiribati. Ocean Family, a leading fishery company from China, is also a shareholder of China-Kiribati joint venture - Kiritimati Island Fishery Company. The JV has a comprehensive investment plan in Kiribati including fishery, cultivation and seafood processing. Those projects will be built locally in Tarawa and Kiritimati Island which will create more local job opportunities, and develop Kiribati modern fishery business in a sustainable manner. In addition to sponsorship of Kiribati National Games and Kiribati Youth Football Team’s visit to Zhoushan City where Ocean Family’s home office is located, life rescue of 3 Kiribati fishermen surely will further enhance friendship between China and Kiribati.