Like the torpedo boats that preceded them, missile speedboats are small swift craft of relatively low cost, fitted with weapons that can inflict enormous damage. During naval warfare, their objective is for "the small to eat the big." But whereas a torpedo has to strike the portion of its target that is below water, exploding and causing it to take on water and sink, today's speedboat-borne missiles are radar-guided. The operator needs only to set the target and fire, and a warship will be blown from the water.

The small size and high speed of the missile speedboats makes them particularly suited for combat in coastal waters, and as they are easily concealed behind rocks and reefs, radar cannot always detect them, even when there is a group of them.

Missile speedboats are often therefore used in defending coastal waters in addition to their role attacking enemy warships, and can break up enemy landing capability by taking out slow and poorly armored troop transporters and supply vessels.

The navy began to prepare for missile speedboats and a force to man them in 1979, with the strategic situation between the two sides of the Taiwan Straits in mind. At present there are more than fifty of the vessels. In addition to defense of the main island they are sent on coordinated transportation and supply missions to the outer islands, with monthly deployments to Kinmen and Tungyin to prove their seaworthiness.

Explains an experienced naval officer: "Because they are versatile and swift, they can get anywhere nearby within a very short period of time. Stationing them at outer islands increases combat strength throughout the seas around Taiwan. In combination with onshore missiles they amount to a formidable control over the Taiwan Straits." Whenever there is a fourth-degree alert the missile speedboats are ordered to deploy to outer islands, and when the alert is raised to third-degree they disperse among military harbors, ready for combat at anytime.

Apart from at the outer islands, a look at the base for the main force of missile speedboats in the "Sea Dragon Squadron" reveals the vessels moored and pointing out to sea, a force poised and ready. Says the commander of the Sea Dragon Squadron: "Any time that the order comes, men and boats must be out at sea within ten minutes." And that means any time, not just at time of war. Everyone is standing by 24 hours a day.

Recently the Sea Dragon Squadron, which is usually responsible for offshore patrols, has found itself in the front line against the wave of smuggling and illegal entry that has struck the coasts of Taiwan. They have to be constantly on the move, especially as much of the illegal activity takes place under cover of darkness.

"By the time we have received a report and arrive to investigate, the fishing crews have often helped their mainland accomplices to escape, and sometimes they even join together to resist us. It makes it impossible to bring these cases to an end," admits the squadron commander.

Each daily patrol lasts at least six hours, and with only eight men on board there is no time to rotate shifts. Moreover the lightness of the boats means that they are thrown about on the waves in rough weather. With conditions lively all year round in the Taiwan Straits, speedboat personnel have to develop the ability to "spew while you work," because there is no one available to take your place when sick. Chief Hsiao of the First Squad of the Sea Dragon Squadron knows what it is like to throw up more than ten times in a patrol, and to steer a vessel when you have already vomited the bile from your insides.

At time of war, "each speedboat can do little to defend itself from attack once it has fired its two missiles," says the squadron commander, so the men have to be trained to be "accurate, deadly and swift" in their operations. "Especially with no antiaircraft weaponry on board, just a 50 caliber machine gun, the only way to respond to air attack is to make our own luck."

In fact, as the men well know, when the time comes they are more likely to be unlucky, and so they are accustomed to living with the ever-present possibility of death.

No wonder that the crews of missile speedboats take the "sea dragon" (a shark)--fierce, resilient and right at home in the water--as their squadron symbol.

"Those who wish to wear the insignia of the Sea Dragon brigade have to pass basic physical tests including a 10,000 meter run (compared to only 5,000 meters required in the army) and a 600-meter swim," explains, Chief Hsiao. As a squadron member you are battered daily by sun, wind, rain and waves without any cover, which adds to the swarthy, robust appearance of the crews. They also brim with self-confidence and leadership.

The hardships and dangers of life as a crewman on missile speedboats is reflected in the generous pay that they receive. Junior officers on other ships earn a monthly bonus of NT$6,800 over their peers in the army, while the bonus on missile speedboats is NT$24,000, giving a junior officer on the speedboats pay parity with a second grade commander on other ships.

Another compensation for the hardships involved is that with small crews, officers have the opportunity to be "captain" with only the rank of lieutenant, bringing overall responsibility and sense of achievement. For young graduate officers from the Naval Academy who want a challenge, joining the Sea Dragon Squadron is therefore the number one objective. Says Chief Hsiao: "I like the feeling of standing at the very front line. It makes me know that I am a real soldier."

[Picture Caption]

Missile speedboats are small, versatile and swift.