Suspicious Super Go-Fast Boats Seen Loitering Off Taiwanese Island

Taiwanese media has reported that four boats were observed acting suspiciously near one of the county's small islands. The vessels can fairly be described as super-go fasts, with 6 (!!!) 400hp outboard motors, and are a type used by smugglers in the region.

6 400hp Mercury outboards

Two boats were observed hiding close to the shore of Gaodeng Island (aka Gordon Island). The Taiwanese (Republic of China) territory is part of the Matsu Islands and only about 5 nautical miles from the Chinese mainland. Four boats were reported via other sources.

The boats were observed by local fishing vessels between 0950 and 1130 on May 19. The two-person crews were wearing balaclavas but also life preservers. The boats appeared to be equipped with strobe lights and possible with buoys, also with lights.

Chinese Smuggling Boats

The boats photographed are remarkably similar to at least 10 examples seized by Hong Kong police.



Over 20 similar seized speedboats seen at the Marine West Division Police base at Tai Lam, Hong Kong.

In previous times boats like these were used to smuggle luxury cars into mainland China. The classic example was the purpose built 'armored stealth boat'. This seems less likely today but a large number of luxury goods are still smuggled in this way. Principle routes appear to be from Hong Kong to the mainland.

A similar vessel being towed off a beach near the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao bridge in 2020. The marine park is suspected of becoming a popular smugglers' speedboat berth.

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