CGA urges public to use ocean safety app after drowning incidents

Taipei, June 16 (CNA) Taiwan's Coast Guard Administration (CGA) is urging beachgoers to check real-time conditions on the "Go Ocean" mobile app following a recent string of drowning incidents as summer weather draws more people to the coast.

The warning comes after a high school student drowned off the coast of Fangliao Township in Pingtung on Sunday, one of several recent fatal or near-fatal accidents linked to dangerous ocean conditions, the CGA said in a press release Monday.

On May 24, 31 students from National Taiwan Ocean University were thrown overboard during a canoe training session in Keelung, while on May 30, a wave swept three foreign nationals out to sea in New Taipei's Gongliao District, killing one, the CGA said.

In each of these cases, the Go Ocean app had issued red alerts, warning of unsafe conditions. Developed by the National Academy of Marine Research, the app uses color-coded alerts and combines data from various sources to display wave, wind and current conditions.

An English-language version is available.

The CGA says it will also boost staff and lifesaving equipment at popular water activity spots. In emergencies, the public is encouraged to call 118.