When the coast guard works alongside fishermen.

The Command of Coast Guard Region 3 was assigned by the Standing Committee of the Party Committee of the Vietnam Coast Guard to coordinate with the Provincial and City Party Committees' Mass Mobilization Departments of 9 provinces and cities in the region (Phu Yen, Khanh Hoa, Ninh Thuan, Binh Thuan, Ba Ria-Vung Tau, Ben Tre, Tien Giang, Tra Vinh and Ho Chi Minh City) to implement the program "Coast Guard accompanies fishermen" under conditions where the political, economic and social situation in the region is basically stable, and national defense and security potential is gradually being strengthened…

Awareness-raising campaigns to change perceptions.

Over the past five years, the program has achieved outstanding results. Specifically, the Command of Region 3 has closely coordinated with the Provincial Party Committee's Mass Mobilization Department, Propaganda Department, the Council for Coordination of Law Dissemination and Education , and the press, radio, and television agencies of nine provinces to unify the content, target audience, form, and geographical areas of the propaganda. They have also closely coordinated with the Party committees and authorities of the localities where the program's activities are planned to be held to organize propaganda activities about the sea and islands, disseminate and educate the public on the law, and organize the "I Love My Homeland's Sea and Islands" competition in the region...

Reporters from the Coast Guard Region 3 Command distribute informational leaflets to the public (illustrative photo).

In addition, during patrol, inspection, and control missions at sea, the unit's vessels regularly conduct direct propaganda through the fisheries information system and distribute informational leaflets directly to crew members and fishermen when approaching their vessels. Over the past 5 years, the Regional Command has coordinated with Party committees, authorities, the People's Mobilization Committee, and the Propaganda Department of the provinces in the region to organize 87 concentrated sessions to disseminate laws and regulations; to educate about the sea, islands, and the functions and duties of the coast guard to more than 90,720 officials, civil servants, union members, youth, students, fishermen, and people in the area. Over 100,000 informational leaflets were distributed, and 25 "I Love My Homeland's Sea and Islands" competitions were organized online and in person for students in junior and senior high schools in 9 provinces, with the participation of 158 schools. In Binh Thuan province, the Command of Region 3 organized 7 propaganda sessions for 9,400 people; distributed over 10,000 propaganda leaflets; wrote and published 184 news articles and reports in newspapers and on television. They signed an agreement to broadcast the program "For the sovereignty, security, and safety of the sea and islands" on Binh Thuan Radio and Television Station and published a special page on "For the sovereignty, security, and safety of the sea and islands" in Binh Thuan Newspaper starting in January 2024; and organized 3 "I love my homeland's sea and islands" competitions in online and in-person formats across 9 secondary schools with 4,450 participating students...

The Command of Coast Guard Region 3, in coordination with the Provincial Party Committee's Mass Mobilization Department and the Vietnam Military Commercial Joint Stock Bank, presented a "Great Solidarity" house to Ms. Le Thi Kim Mai, residing in Thanh My village, Tan Thanh commune, Ham Thuan Nam district.

Through propaganda, the spirit of patriotism and the awareness of fighting to protect the sacred sovereignty of the Fatherland's seas and islands have been enhanced, while also building a sense of responsibility among fishermen to combat negative phenomena and illegal acts at sea and on islands, such as: violations of regulations on order and safety at sea; illegal fishing in foreign waters; the use of chemicals for destructive fishing practices that affect aquatic resources and damage the marine ecosystem...

A pillar of support for fishermen to venture out to sea and maintain their livelihoods.

Over the years, officers and soldiers of the 3rd Regional Command have actively and proactively supported and assisted fishermen in venturing out to sea and maintaining their presence there, contributing to the protection of the sovereignty of the nation's seas and islands. The 3rd Regional Command identifies this as an important, regular, and long-term task, contributing to raising awareness and creating consensus among all segments of the population in managing and defending the sovereignty of the nation's seas and islands.

Timely rescue and assistance for fishermen who suffer accidents while fishing at sea.

Coast guard vessels strictly maintain duty schedules; monitor, inform, and promptly prevent fishermen from violating foreign waters to exploit marine resources. They do not use destructive fishing methods that harm marine resources and the environment; they exchange and standardize signals, channels, and frequencies in case of incidents or when detecting vessels in trouble, and promptly provide relevant information regarding territorial sovereignty, security, maritime safety, and reporting crimes and violations of the law at sea to relevant authorities at sea. They promptly support and protect fishermen when they are fishing in foreign waters or when they are rammed or pursued by foreign vessels.

In addition, the Command of Region 3 has effectively coordinated and organized search and rescue operations, disaster relief, and environmental incident recovery efforts. The Command maintains a strict 24/7 watch station to ensure continuous operation for vessels at sea. It maintains communication links with the Regional Search and Rescue Centers III and the Search and Rescue Centers of Ba Ria - Vung Tau, Binh Thuan, and Khanh Hoa provinces to promptly exchange information on situations occurring at sea and coordinate timely and effective search and rescue operations for fishermen. It proactively participates in mitigating the consequences of natural disasters and environmental incidents at sea, responding to climate change; and providing support and assistance with food, medicine, fresh water, fuel, etc., to fishing vessels at sea when they encounter difficulties.

The unit has closely coordinated with the Military Command, the Border Guard Command, and relevant agencies of 9 provinces and cities to develop support plans; coordinated the organization of training, drills, and exercises for human resources and civilian vessels, in order to meet the conditions for readiness to participate in and effectively carry out the task of defending the sovereignty of the country's seas and islands. In response to new mission requirements, the provinces and cities have promptly identified and adjusted the mobilization of local officials, prioritizing those with expertise related to vessels. Regarding vessels, the focus is mainly on ships with a power output of over 500 horsepower, a displacement of over 90 tons, and readiness to perform tasks when situations arise...

The effectiveness of the "Coast Guard Accompanying Fishermen" program has brought profound meaning and widespread impact to coastal and island localities, receiving recognition and high praise from Party committees, authorities, people, and public opinion. This has contributed to improving the effectiveness of mass mobilization work in the new situation, fostering patriotism and love for the sea and islands, and raising awareness and responsibility among the people towards the cause of building and protecting territorial sovereignty and maritime border security.

The Search and Rescue and Environmental Protection Center No. 3 has maintained a strict 24/7 search and rescue duty roster; closely monitoring incidents, natural disasters, search and rescue operations, and environmental pollution in the sea areas under its management. As a result, over the past five years, it has processed 772 search and rescue reports at sea; advised on the deployment of 25 vessels to participate in 18 search and rescue operations, rescuing 8 vessels, recovering 6 bodies, and rescuing and assisting 325 people.

Source: https://baobinhthuan.com.vn/khi-canh-sat-bien-dong-hanh-voi-ngu-dan-123952.html