Hou Chuin 12
Vessel Name: Hou Chuin 12
Hou Chuin 12
Lost with all 15 crew North of Barrow Island
14 March 1979
The Canberra Times, Thursday 15 March 1979
On 14 March 1979 Tropical Cyclone Hazel struck the Western Australian coast north Of Exmouth, bringing 137 km/hr winds and heavy rains. In total Hazel caused approximately 20 million dollars of damage between Carnarvon and Shark Bay.
Hou Chuin 12 was a 285 tonne Taiwanese trawler with 15 crew members, fishing with her sister boat Huo Chuin 11. The boats were safely north of the cyclone centre at 11pm when Hou Chuin 12 radioed to report all was well to the other boat. Following that call, radio contact was lost and Hou Chuin 11 made contact with the Australian coast to request help to locate the lost boat.
The Australian Coastal Surveillance Centre in Canberra coordinated an air search. Sea search was hampered due to the rough seas in the area. No trace of the missing trawler was located, and she was presumed lost with all hands.