National flag on offshore ships

Crossing hundreds of nautical miles, fishermen always carry with them the image of the Fatherland, the red flag with yellow star.

For fishermen, in the vast ocean and sky, the red flag with yellow star flying on the roof of each ship's cabin is a milestone affirming the sacred and inviolable sovereignty of the Fatherland, adding strength, faith, and encouraging spirit and will for them to go out to sea.

Affirming territorial sovereignty

After the full moon of April, the atmosphere at the fishing ports of Dong Tac, Phu Lac, Tien Chau, Van Phuoc... became bustling again.

At Phu Lac fishing port (Hoa Hiep Nam ward, Dong Hoa town), from early morning, there were dozens of fishing boats coming and going busily. On the roof of each boat's cabin, the bright red national flag shone brightly in the morning sun. For fishermen, the red flag with yellow star is especially sacred because it was painted with the blood of countless heroic martyrs. Therefore, the flag is always hung in the highest and most solemn position on the boat.

Before leaving the port for the Truong Sa fishing grounds, along with preparing everything for a long offshore fishing trip such as gasoline/oil, rice, fish sauce, crushed ice, etc., fishermen never forget to bring the national flags.

Each fishing boat usually flies a national flag 24/7, and for fishing boats with a capacity of 1,000 horsepower or more, such as steel-hulled boats, fishermen fly two national flags at the same time, one on the roof of the cabin and one on top of the crane.

Mr. Le Chi Dung in Phu Tho 2 quarter, Hoa Hiep Trung ward, captain of fishing boat PY-96226TS shared: Having been involved in the profession of "eating waves and talking to the wind" since my youth until now, I have never left the red flag with the yellow star every time I board the boat to catch seafood. Unlike on land, the weather and climate at sea are very unusual. In particular, the sun and wind in the Truong Sa sea area are very fierce, causing the flag to fade very quickly and tear easily. Therefore, before each trip, along with preparing fishing gear, food, fuel..., each fishing boat always carries dozens of national flags to change in time.

The national flag is hung at the highest position on the roof of each fishing boat's cabin. Photo: XUAN HIEU

According to Mr. Dung, the national flag, in addition to its sacred meaning, as a landmark affirming Vietnam's sovereignty over the East Sea, is also a sign for fishermen to recognize each other and provide timely support when facing unexpected events. In the middle of the vast ocean, always facing big waves and strong winds, a fishing boat of only about twenty meters becomes small. At those times, when seeing the red flag with a yellow star, everyone feels more confident and strong; the feeling of missing the mainland and family also subsides and disappears. From then on, they are confident in their profession.

Group 14 is run by Mr. Ha Ngoc Hiep in Phu Lac quarter, Hoa Hiep Nam ward with more than 20 large-capacity fishing boats, both exploiting, catching and purchasing seafood right at sea. Because of long-term operations, sometimes for months at a time, each boat always has dozens of national flags in reserve. Every year, when the sea opens, when the fishing boats of this group simultaneously set sail, the red national flags light up a corner of the sky.

Mr. Hiep said: “We don’t wait until the flag is torn, we just replace it when it is faded. Therefore, the flag is always bright red and always fluttering in the sky and sea. In the middle of the ocean, it is the national flag that encourages us fishermen to overcome all storms, stick to the sea to make a living, and contribute to protecting the sacred sovereignty of the sea and islands.”

At Van Phuoc fishing port (Song Cau town), while preparing with his friends for the next long sea trip, Mr. Le Huu Hung, captain and owner of fishing boat PY-94635TS, shared: When fishing at sea, encountering low pressure or storms is inevitable. At that time, looking at the speed of the flag's swaying can predict the level of wind strength and direction to find shelter. After escaping the dangerous area or low pressure, the storm dissipates, the first thing to do is look up at the roof of the cabin to see how the flag is. If the flag is torn, replace it immediately.

Accompanying fishermen

Accompanying fishermen to go offshore, in recent times, many agencies and units inside and outside the province have organized many practical activities, in which presenting the national flag to fishermen fishing offshore is an extremely meaningful activity.

In the program "March Border - Sea and Island Love" in 2024 organized by the Provincial Border Guard at Hoa Hiep Nam Border Guard Station, celebrating the 65th anniversary of the Border Guard's tradition day and the 35th anniversary of the People's Border Guard Day, the Provincial Border Guard and agencies and units presented fishermen of Dong Hoa town with 5,000 national flags.

Mr. Nguyen Van Son, owner of fishing boat PY-95148TS, was moved and expressed: “The national flag is the pride of the nation and the spiritual support of fishermen, especially when going out to sea. This gift of special significance is a great encouragement for us to be determined to stick to the sea to make a living and contribute to protecting the sovereignty of the sea and islands of the Fatherland.”

Located in Tuy Hoa City, the naval soldiers of Brigade 682, Naval Region 4 are always closely attached to the people, paying special attention to fishermen. Lieutenant Colonel Tran Quang Trung, Political Commissar of Brigade 682, said: Implementing the program "The Navy is a fulcrum for fishermen to go offshore", in the past, along with doing a good job of propagating and disseminating laws on seas and islands and related legal documents on combating IUU fishing, the unit has presented nearly 1,000 national flags, hundreds of life jackets and life buoys to fishermen whose boats are operating offshore.

In addition, the brigade also sponsored a student who is the child of a fisherman in Ward 6, Tuy Hoa City; gave more than 150 gifts to fishermen's families in difficult circumstances; coordinated health examinations and consultations for fishermen in the area of 4 fishing ports of the province.

At the rally to celebrate World Oceans Day and Vietnam Sea and Islands Week 2022, organized by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment in coordination with the Provincial People's Committee at Nghinh Phong Tower, Tuy Hoa City, within the framework of the program "One million national flags with fishermen sticking to the sea", Nguoi Lao Dong Newspaper also presented 10,000 national flags to Phu Yen fishermen, thereby creating motivation to help fishermen feel secure to go offshore and stick to the sea, maintaining the sovereignty of the Fatherland.

Mr. Phan Thuan, Chairman of the Fisheries Union of Ward 6, Tuy Hoa City - a person with more than 40 years of experience at sea, affirmed: The bright red color of the national flag is a symbol of luck in the journey of fishermen at sea. More importantly, the red flag with yellow star fluttering on the roof of each ship's cabin affirms the sacred sovereignty of the sea and islands of the Fatherland.

XUAN HIEU

Source