The Maritime and Port Bureau (MPB) of the Ministry of Transportation and Communications hosted the kickoff press conference for the 2026 Maritime Safety Month today (July 3). The event was attended by numerous distinguished guests, notably Chief Secretary De-sheng Liao of the Coast Guard Administration under the Ocean Affairs Council; Vice President Shih-hung Chen of the Port of Keelung, Taiwan International Ports Corp., Ltd.; Director Ming-yuan Shi of the Rescue Command Center under the National Fire Agency of the Ministry of the Interior; Director Ming-chang Shieh of the Northern Region Water Resources Branch of the Water Resources Agency under the Ministry of Economic Affairs; General Manager Chien-chou Chen of Taiwan Navigation Co., Ltd.; General Manager Tsung-hsun Tsai of the All Ports Transportation Co., Ltd.; Chairman Chao-nan Chen of Taiwan Yacht Industry Association; Chairman Chong-sheng Chen of the Tsang Jai Shipping Co., Ltd.; and Director Mu-tsun Su of the Diving Accident Prevention and Education Foundation. Embodying the core spirit of Protecting Maritime Safety—The Sea Is Better with You, the awareness campaign promotes four major themes: human-vessel collision avoidance, lithium battery safety, passenger real-name registration, and lifesaving awareness. The MPB is partnering with maritime operators and the public to establish a safe environment for maritime transportation and water recreation.
  To help the public quickly understand pre-departure safety steps and voyage precautions, the MPB invited a professional cheerleading squad to kick off the event with an energetic performance. Through catchy and creative slogans, the performers promoted the four golden rules of maritime travel: “Maintain a 100-meter distance upon spotting a diving flag,” “Carry lithium batteries in carry-on baggage and prevent impacts,” “Comply with real-name passenger registration and arrive 30 minutes before departure,” and “Wear life jackets correctly.”
  The MPB specifically reminded travelers to follow the “Four Don’ts and One Do” guidelines for power banks: do not use uncertified power banks; do not use power banks that are visibly damaged or swollen; do not place power banks in checked luggage; do not use power banks under high temperatures; monitor power banks closely; and keep power banks in plain sight while in use. The public is urged to comply fully with these guidelines to maintain safety during maritime voyages.
  In addition to the four themes, the MPB encouraged the public to actively submit recommendations through the Maritime Safety Voluntary Reporting System. Established by the MPB in 2022 and hosted on its official website, this system provides a voluntary, confidential, and non-punitive reporting channel. This secure channel protects the identity of reporters, allowing maritime industry professionals, passengers, and the general public to report conditions or incidents that could potentially jeopardize maritime safety. Upon receiving a report, the MPB will conduct rigorous verification and professional analysis to formulate improvement measures addressing risk factors. Relevant operators will then be requested to cooperate with implementation to facilitate preventive measures.  If a regulatory violation is confirmed, the MPB will impose penalties in accordance with the law to enhance maritime safety.
  Another highlight of the event was the debut of the MPB’s mascot Bobby the Dolphin. Dressed in a uniform with a helmet bearing the MPB emblem, Bobby embodies the MPB’s commitment to maritime safety. The name “Bobby” conveys the auspicious meaning of “smooth waves and protection for all” (波比), making him the ideal ambassador for promoting maritime safety and encouraging the public to work together to protect Taiwan’s national waters.
  The MPB emphasized that as water activities peak during the summer season, it hopes that the 2026 Maritime Safety Month and the promotions led by Bobby will firmly instill the concept that meticulous inspections reduce voyage crises. Following the press conference, the MPB will hold seven maritime safety promotional seminars across Taiwan to increase outreach to water management authorities and operators. This initiative aims to enhance boat crews’ emergency response skills and boost operators’ safety management standards. By fostering an environment that benefits both operators and travelers benefit, the MPB hopes to ensure that everyone can enjoy safe and worry-free summer travel on the water.

Contact Person: Hsueh-feng Lu, Section Chief, Maritime Safety Division
Contact Number: 02-89786801