PENGHU, Taiwan – When Yeh Chih-sheng steps aboard Taiwan Coast Guard vessel CG1005 in the choppy waters of the Taiwan Strait, he brings more than his uniform and orders: he also has temple charms blessed by the gods ​revered by fishers for protection at sea. Yeh is first mate of the 2,400-ton ship based ‌in Taiwan’s ‌Penghu islands, and part of Taipei’s maritime front line as China asserts its claim ​of sovereignty over the democratically governed island.