Keep calm at the top of the wave

For Vietnamese Coast Guard soldiers, each patrol is not simply a journey to enforce the law, maintain security, order and maritime safety, but also a mission to firmly protect the sovereignty of the sea and islands.

On the deep blue border, where every nautical mile is the flesh and blood of the Fatherland, we always keep in mind: national sovereignty is inviolable, the peace of the people is the command from the soldier's heart. Each trip, though seemingly quiet, is deeply engraved in our memory by stories that are very ordinary but also full of sacredness.

Special Journey

I still remember clearly the Tet duty in the middle of the sea in the South of the Fatherland in 2019. At a time when the mainland was bustling with spring colors and the atmosphere of reunion was everywhere, the officers and soldiers of Coast Guard ship 4031 still steadfastly stuck to the sea, performing the tasks of being on duty ready for combat, patrolling, controlling and being ready for rescue.

Coast Guard ship 4031 on patrol at sea

After more than two months of drifting at sea, when receiving the order to prepare to return to the mainland, the joy was evident on every face, eye, and smile of the officers and soldiers on board. Everyone was looking forward to the moment of returning home to reunite with their families. But then, an urgent phone call at dawn on March 10, 2019 caused the ship to change course, embarking on a special, emotional journey.

At around 5am, the communication system rang out a distress signal from fishing boat QN 94298-TS. Amidst the rumbling waves, a man's voice was heard in panic: "Help! Help us! Our boat hit a reef and is sinking! There are 8 people on board, 2 nautical miles southwest of Phu Quy Island!"

Captain Trinh Dinh Ngoc immediately alerted the entire ship, reported the situation and ordered full speed maneuvers towards the ship in distress. The sea level 6-7 made the ship sway, waves crashed onto the deck but no one flinched. In my mind at that time, only the image of 8 people struggling in the cold ocean appeared.

At around 6:30, we arrived at the scene. My team and I lowered the boat and approached the wrecked ship. The scene before my eyes made my heart ache. The fishing boat had completely broken the water, lying horizontally on the reef. On the part of the ship that was still floating, 8 fishermen sat huddled together, their eyes vacant, their faces haggard, silent as if turned to stone. A gray-haired man, his voice trembling with exhaustion, choked up: "It's over, guys... We're in debt, now we're broke, how can we live anymore...".

I jumped onto the side of the wrecked ship, squeezed his hand, and reassured him: "As long as there are people, there is property. A broken ship can be repaired, but human lives cannot be exchanged. At home, there are wives and children, families are waiting, you must not give up!"

A young fisherman sobbed, tears streaming down his face: "But now... what do we have left? The whole family depended on this ship. Now everything is gone."

I turned to look at my teammates. No one said anything, but their eyes were shining with fierce determination. I ordered, "Focus on saving the people's property!"

The six of us in the working group immediately jumped into the sea. In the freezing cold, we quickly dived to remove each light bulb, salvage fishing gear, and collect every remaining item. The space was silent, only bare hands were diligently doing what needed to be done. That action was like a silent fire warming the spirits of the desperate fishermen. One by one, we started jumping into the water, working together to grab whatever we could still save.

Command from the heart

After more than 4 hours of struggling with the wind and waves, 8 fishermen and their salvaged belongings were transferred to fishing boat QN 94297-TS and left floating nearby. They were safe, but food, clothes, personal belongings… were still submerged in the sea.

I returned to the ship and talked to Captain Trinh Dinh Ngoc: "Everyone has lost everything, there is nothing left. This situation is so heartbreaking, we must do something more. I propose to mobilize everyone on the ship to share food and clothes with the fishermen in distress."

Immediately, the support plan was approved. I gathered the entire ship in the club room, informed them of the situation and called for a spirit of sharing. Everyone agreed and quickly made donations. I still remember the image of a young soldier named Minh, pulling out a new set of clothes from his backpack, his eyes sincere: "This is the set of clothes I bought to wear for Tet... but Tet is over now. You guys need it more. I would like to send it to you."

In just a few minutes, 42 sets of clothes, blankets, 5 boxes of instant noodles, a bag of rice and many other necessary items were neatly arranged. The working boat was lowered, and the warm gifts of humanity were quickly delivered to the people.

Officers and soldiers of Coast Guard ship 4031 rescue property of fishermen on fishing boat QN 94298 - TS in distress at sea

Mr. Nguyen Van Mai, the owner of the fishing boat that had the accident, was so moved that he burst into tears. He choked up: "You saved our lives, and now you are taking care of us with every piece of clothing and every meal... We will never forget this favor!"

A young man, Mr. Mai's son, shook my hand tightly, his eyes firm as he said: "Don't worry. We promise to hire a salvage company, repair the ship, and continue to sail. With you guys by our side, we are no longer afraid."

In the middle of the ocean, there are moments that do not require many words, just a look and a sharing action is enough to move people's hearts. The presence of the Coast Guard is not only to carry out its duties, but also to be a solid support for fishermen to confidently go to sea, together contributing to firmly protecting the inviolable sovereignty of the sea and islands of the Fatherland.

More than 6 years have passed, but I still remember clearly the eyes of the fishermen in the midst of their hardship - eyes of despair turned to hope. And I understand more than ever that preserving national sovereignty is not just about strong declarations or empty words, but must be affirmed by concrete, practical actions, from work close to the people, helping people at the forefront.

The ideal of "For the people, forgetting oneself" is never a slogan, but a command from the heart of the Vietnamese Coast Guard soldier.

We understand that each fisherman at sea is a "living milestone" affirming sovereignty, each ship sailing offshore with the national flag on its roof is a source of pride in the sacred sea and islands. Protecting fishermen is a duty, a noble mission.

Source: https://nld.com.vn/giu-binh-yen-noi-dau-song-196250517221913397.htm