fluctuate significantly depending on the selected specifications. Ho elaborated that renting hardware could lead to cost savings. In this arrangement, basic text messaging would incur a monthly fee of approximately NT$10,000, while providing unlimited internet access for crew members could escalate annual expenses to over NT$700,000, posing a considerable financial strain on smaller vessels. Nevertheless, he recognized that financial considerations are only one concern; vessel owners are also apprehensive about how family-related issues might affect crew morale. Ho further drew on an analogy of a male-dominated military environment to illustrate the distinct challenges faced by those working at sea: “The main issue with Wi-Fi is the mental resilience of crew members. Family problems are unavoidable, yet they can detract from job performance. While life at sea is not as confining as military service, it presents inconveniences. A novice sailor may experience homesickness, particularly if he has not yet acclimated. However, he will likely wish to return to the vessel once that feeling subsides. This cycle can be quite disruptive for us, as our fishing vessels cannot simply return to port at will—the costs associated with docking can run in the millions.”11 Ho provided an example of a previous case where a fisher requested to return to shore due to a family emergency. This situation resulted in conflicts among the crew, as those unable to continue their work faced a reduction in their earnings. Some vessels are experimenting with protocols to manage these emergencies. If a crew member receives urgent news through the Internet, cost-effective solutions must be devised so that they can return to shore in a timely manner. This approach may encourage vessel 11 NHRC (March 17, 2023). “Interview with TTA Secretary-General Ho Shih-chieh.” 17