現今各國海事或海巡機關,依據「1982年聯合國海洋法公約」第98條第2款規定,紛紛建立區域搜救合作機制,以實踐海上船舶及人命安全維護之職責。兩岸僅以台臺灣海峽相隔,自1987年開放大陸探親及2008年海運直航後,兩岸人口流動極為頻繁,海難發生機率相對提高,若能有效結合雙方海上搜救能量,建立密切的防護支援網絡,對於維護周邊海域船舶、人命、財產及環境安全,應能達到事半功倍之效,有鑑於此,兩岸搜救機關近年逐步加強搜救合作機制,包括輪流舉辦演練、專業交流互訪、建立緊急聯繫窗口等工作,展望未來,兩岸應秉持「人道救援」之普世精神,持續擴大、深化搜救合作機制,達到「就近就便、相互支援、即時動員、化解危機」之目標。
In accordance with the 2nd paragraph of Article 98 of United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea,1982, the maritime agencies and the coastguard authorities of coastal States have signed mutual regional arrangements cooperate with neighboring States for establishing, operating and maintaining an adequate and effective search and rescue service regarding safety on and over the sea. After allowing the residents of Taiwan to visit family in Mainland China in 1987 and direct cross-strait sea transport in 2008, the cross-strait population, which is separated into two part only by Taiwan Strait, floats frequently between Taiwan and Mainland China . The collaboration of the cross-strait search and rescue authorities will play a crucial role in minimizing the loss of life and property damage and maintaining the maritime safety. Therefore, the mechanism of collaboration of the cross-strait search and rescue authorities should be established, such as hosting the SAR drill in turn, regular interaction and exchange, and setting the emergency contact person. Both sides should reinforce this mechanism to reach the goal of mutual assistance and for the humanitarian purposes.