The maiden voyage ceremony of the "Five Blessings of the Northeast Corner" government vessel at Wushi Port combined lion dance for blessings with the throwing of mochi buns and biscuits, recreating a century-old fishing village custom.

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The Northeast Coast and Yilan Coast National Scenic Area Administration of the Tourism Administration, Ministry of Transportation and Communications (hereinafter referred to as the Northeast Coast Administration) held the maiden voyage ceremony of the newly built government vessel "Northeast Coast Five Blessings" at Wushih Harbor in Yilan today (20th). Led by Yu Li-yu, Director of the Northeast Coast National Scenic Area Administration, the event invited distinguished guests including Lin Mao-sheng, Acting Magistrate of Yilan County; Liang Chia-hsiang, Special Assistant to Legislator Chen Chun-yu; Chen Shun-liang, Secretary to Yilan County Councilor Lai Liang-chou; Yu Chia-jui, Special Assistant to Councilor Lin Shih-ying; Li Tung-ju, Director of the Yilan County Government's Department of Industry, Commerce and Tourism; Liu Chih-min, Yilan County Toucheng Township Representative Councilor; Hsieh Chun-chieh, Captain of the First Coastal Patrol Team of the Northern Branch of the Coast Guard Administration, Ocean Affairs Council; Chen Hsiu-nuan, Chairperson of the Toucheng Township Fishermen's Association; Chien Wen-kui, Standing Supervisor; Cheng Min-tse, General Manager; Chien Ming-yi, General Manager of the Yilan County Whale Watching Promotion Association; Li Shih-tien, Chief of Gangkou Village, Toucheng Township; Cho Chih-hung, Chairperson of the Yilan County Tourism Association; Chien Ying-chun, Chairperson of the Guishan Island Community Development Association; Lin Shu-chen, Chairperson of the Yilan County Tourism Ambassadors Association; and business representatives from the Greater Northeast Coast tourism area. The event officially announced the new vessel's entry into service along the Northeast Coast and Yilan coast with a lion dance performance and the traditional "tossing of blessings" custom.

The newly built government vessel is named "Five Blessings of the Northeast Coast," symbolizing the arrival of five blessings and carrying on local sentiments and the mission of protection. The Northeast Coast National Scenic Area Administration stated that this is not only the administration's fifth government vessel, but also because the administration headquarters is located in "Fulong," taking advantage of the homophony between "good fortune" and "Fulong," and "Five Blessings" is a homophone for "having good fortune" in Taiwanese, symbolizing that this vessel will carry the mission of protecting the ocean and bringing peace and well-being to tourists and residents visiting the waters of the Northeast Coast.

The "Five Blessings of the Northeast Cape" was built by the renowned Pingtung-based Cunfu Shipbuilding Company at a cost of approximately NT$19.85 million. It has a gross tonnage of 19.84 tons and a total horsepower of 1,020. Its streamlined fiberglass hull and advanced navigation equipment give it considerable maneuverability in coastal waters within 20 nautical miles of shore, and it will play an important role in promoting recreational activities on Turtle Island.

The "Five Blessings of the Northeast Coast" departed from Pingtung Shipyard in mid-January, passing through Houbihu in Kenting, Chenggong in Taitung, and the coastal area of Hualien, before heading north to Dali in Yilan. This morning (January 20th) at 10:10 AM, accompanied by a lion dance performance, it slowly entered Wushi Harbor. Following the maiden voyage ceremony, in accordance with the traditional customs of a newly completed ship, Director Yu Li-yu of the Northeast Coast National Scenic Area led guests on board for a "fortune-throwing ceremony," tossing cookies, buns, and mochi to the people at the dock. The atmosphere reached its climax amidst laughter and scrambling for the "fortune gifts," symbolizing a smooth and successful maiden voyage.

Following the blessing ceremony, the maiden voyage commenced. Director Yu Li-yu stated, "The Northeast Coast and Yilan waters are rich in tourism resources. With the increasing popularity of marine recreational activities, the upgrading and efficiency improvement of government vessels are crucial. The addition of the 'Five Blessings of the Northeast Coast' not only enhances our capacity for tourism promotion and management but also symbolizes our goal of sustainable operation." In the future, the "Five Blessings of the Northeast Coast" will be permanently stationed in the Yilan waters, continuously providing tourists with a higher quality and safer marine tourism environment.