K9
In 2002, the fishing vessel Yuanshen No. 2, carrying 134 fishermen off southern Taiwan, headed toward Kaohsiung to shelter from an approaching typhoon. A cabin fire caused it to lose power. With force 8 winds and waves exceeding 6 m, helicopter rescues were slow and hazardous, while Coast Guard lifeboats could not approach safely. Two civilian rescue teams in 6 m RHIBs shuttled between the fishing vessel and a Coast Guard ship, rescuing 133 people. The mission drew attention to RHIB rescue capabilities. In 2003, the Taiwan government invited domestic and overseas manufacturers to develop a rescue boat for demanding local sea conditions. Karmin won with its K9 Rescue RIB and multilayer collar design. The historical account records patents in Singapore, China, the United States and other jurisdictions, and describes subsequent rescue operations in storms, including one reported as sea state 10. Current service status is not established by that historical account.