Jointly organized by the Ministry of the Interior, Council for Cultural Affairs, Council of Indigenous Peoples, Council for Economic Planning and Development, Coast Guard Administration, and Construction and Planning Agency—and executed by the Taitung County Government, Lanyu Township Office, and the Marine National Park Headquarters—the “Across the Kuroshio, Visiting Taiwan” voyage successfully brought the 18-paddle traditional canoe Si Mangavang (“The Visiting Vessel”) to Taiwan. After a grand launching ceremony on June 25, the vessel crossed the Kuroshio Current as scheduled and arrived today (June 29) at Shangwu Fishing Harbor on Taiwan’s east coast.
　　According to the Marine National Park Headquarters (hereinafter referred to as the Headquarters), trial paddling over the past few days had gone smoothly. Although unstable post-typhoon weather conditions brought intermittent thunderstorms and heavy rain to waters around Taiwan, the Tao (Yami) warriors remained undeterred. After carefully analyzing meteorological and oceanographic data overnight, they decided to proceed according to the original schedule, paddling to Lanyu’s Kaiyuan Port at 4:00 p.m. on June 28 to await departure. At 4:00 a.m. on June 29, when wind and rain subsided, the Tao warriors set off from Kaiyuan Port aboard Si Mangavang. The vessel was accompanied by the support boat “Haiyang” and escorted throughout by a 50-ton patrol vessel from the 15th Coastal Patrol Corps of the Coast Guard Administration. Two Headquarters personnel were also on board the support vessel for the entire voyage, with an additional support vehicle on standby to respond to emergencies.
　　As sea conditions gradually improved, the warriors’ spirits were further lifted. Averaging six knots per hour, they crossed the Kuroshio toward Taiwan, arriving three hours earlier than scheduled. At 12:30 p.m., they reached their destination—Shangwu Fishing Harbor in Taitung—where they were warmly welcomed by local residents. The historic moment was recorded from the air by the National Airborne Service Corps of the Ministry of the Interior.
　　Before entering the harbor, the Tao warriors changed into their traditional attire—loincloths—as a gesture of respect to the welcoming Paiwan community of Dawu. The Dawu Township Office organized more than a dozen fishing boats and sampans to escort Si Mangavang into port with celebratory firecrackers. Director Yang Mo-lin of the Headquarters, Deputy Magistrate Chang Chi-yi of the Taitung County Government, Mayor Chao Shih-chung of Dawu Township, and members of the Paiwan community greeted the warriors on shore, accompanied by a welcoming dance performed by Dawu Junior High School students. During the ceremonial exchange of gifts between Mayor Chiang Tuo-li of Lanyu Township and Mayor Chao Shih-chung of Dawu Township—featuring a carved Lanyu boat and traditional Paiwan ornaments—the first stop of Si Mangavang’s goodwill voyage was successfully completed.
　　According to the Headquarters, the voyage schedule includes arrival at Nanwan in Kenting on July 1, Sizihwan in Kaohsiung on July 3, Tainan on July 4, Taichung on July 9, and Taipei on July 16. At each stop, a grand “Lanyu Cultural Performance” will be held, with local residents warmly invited to participate.