"Anchovies" at the DK1 offshore platform

During their voyage to visit, inspect, and encourage the military and civilians in the Truong Sa Special Zone and the DK1 platform, the Ministry of National Defense's Task Force No. 4 arrived at the DK1/17 platform. This was the final stop on their voyage after several days visiting islands and islets such as Song Tu Tay, Son Ca, Da Thi, Sinh Ton Dong, Len Dao, Da Tay B, and Truong Sa. This evoked a shared feeling of nostalgia in everyone. However, accustomed to the pace of sea travel, some members of the delegation expressed that the trip passed by very quickly.

The CQ boat transported members of the working group from the ship's anchorage to the DK1/17 platform. Photo: HUY CONG

When Ship 571 (411th Squadron, 955th Brigade, 4th Naval Region) dropped anchor, the sea was calm, with gentle waves lapping against the ship's hull. Fortunately, the favorable weather allowed all members of the delegation to board the CQ boats to approach the offshore platform.

As the delegation stepped from the boat onto the first steps of the DK1/17 platform, what impressed them most wasn't just the imposing steel structure standing tall in the ocean, but the schools of fish swimming right beneath the platform. Through the clear blue seawater, the schools of fish stood out next to the yellow iron pillars. One member of the delegation exclaimed, "It looks like anchovies at the platform, doesn't it?"

Looking down from the high platform, it's fascinating to observe these schools of fish. They swim leisurely and slowly around the base, showing no signs of fear of humans. This peaceful scene gives the feeling that this place is like a natural "fish pond," and the fish simply swim around in this giant pond in the middle of the sea.

Many fish swim around beneath the DK1/17 platform.

When we asked Lieutenant Colonel Mai Van Huy, Commander of the DK1/17 platform, about this interesting mystery, he laughed and explained: "The reason we jokingly call them anchovies, or in other words, fish that eat the soldiers' rice, is because after each meal, the cooks throw leftover food and rice down to the base of the platform. The fish come to eat, and over time, they've become accustomed to it, creating a natural fish pond. The types of marine fish here are very diverse and abundant; many species we catch are used as daily food."

More than just companions for the soldiers on the offshore platform, the fish also provide practical value. It is known that in 2025 and the first four months of 2026 alone, the DK1/17 offshore platform ensured excellent logistical support and increased production. The amount of marine fish harvested reached nearly 800 kg, providing a timely supplement to the soldiers' daily meals.

Officers and soldiers at the DK1/17 platform bid farewell to the visiting delegation.

According to Sergeant Nguyen Xuan Nhat, a radio operator at the DK1/17 platform, ensuring fresh fish is included in meals helps soldiers enjoy their food more, diversify their diet, and overcome the monotony of canned and dried foods brought from the mainland.

Leaving the offshore platform and boarding the CQ boat to return to the ship, everyone in the delegation carried a feeling of wistfulness and nostalgia. Looking back at the towering steel structure in the middle of the ocean, the image of the anchovies swimming leisurely at the base of the platform seemed to dispel the harshness of the sun and salty wind. They brought a sense of peace, a slow, tranquil pace of life that captivated the eyes of those returning to the mainland, behind which lay the efforts and perseverance of the naval officers and soldiers on the front lines of the Fatherland.