Weather Disrupts Ferries to Xiaoliuqiu, Tourism Operators Lament Losses in Peak Season

(Central News Agency reporter Huang Yu-ching, Pingtung County, August 14) Ferry services between Xiaoliuqiu Island and the mainland were suspended for multiple days due to Typhoon Bavi. Although services resumed yesterday, today's operations were again disrupted by strong southwest monsoon flows and a spring tide, resulting in rough sea conditions. Only one ferry operator ran services this morning, while all others remained suspended. Tourism operators expressed deep concern over significant losses during the peak season.

Due to Typhoon Bavi, ferry services to Xiaoliuqiu operated for only half a day on the 9th. Major operators on the Dongliu route suspended services entirely from the 10th to the 12th. Services resumed for just one day yesterday, but today, with wave heights forecasted to exceed 2 meters due to the southwest monsoon and spring tide, only the Dongliu Joint Service Office operated in the morning.

Li Chia-chi, chairman of the Liuqiu Township Tourism Development Association in Pingtung County, told the Central News Agency that the island is currently very quiet. Some tourists had planned overnight stays yesterday, but as ferry operators successively announced suspensions, many feared being stranded and returned to the mainland, turning their trips into day visits.

Li noted that summer is peak tourist season for Xiaoliuqiu, with an average of 4,000 to 5,000 visitors on regular weekdays. The consecutive days of suspension have caused substantial losses for the tourism industry. While operators are accustomed to weather disruptions in summer, they still lamented the 'wasted days' and hoped for better weather ahead.

According to the Central Weather Bureau, today's high tide in Donggang occurred at 7:02 a.m., with water levels 110 centimeters above the local average sea level. Waves repeatedly surged onto the boarding walkway of the Dongliu route early in the morning. Ferry operators erected retractable barriers to prevent passengers from wading through water or getting their luggage wet.

With only one operator running services today, Donggang Pier saw few tourists, with only scattered individuals observing the dramatic tidal effects. One tourist said they had feared their trip would be disrupted, but thanks to assistance from their guesthouse in rebooking ferry tickets, they were able to proceed with their original travel plans. (Edited by Liang Chun-te) 1150714