Conflicts in the open sea

Fishing trips are a hard and arduous journey for fishermen to make a living. However, due to trivial conflicts such as the division of labor or profits at sea, many clashes have occurred, and some have even paid with their lives, leaving behind heartbreaking tragedies.

Leaving his hometown to work as a laborer on the fishing vessel KG-62599-TS in An Giang , Huynh Phong Chau (46 years old), residing in Dong Thap province, along with captain Le Van Bang and three other fishermen, made a living at sea. Those who shared the same vessel relied on each other to overcome the storms, but due to an inability to control their emotions, their collegial relationship ended in a murder.

Around 12 PM on June 8, 2025, while the boat was operating in the waters of Phu Quoc Special Economic Zone, Chau and Bang got into an argument while fishing for squid. In a fit of anger, Bang threw a glass and a knife at Chau. Although no serious consequences resulted, this action greatly angered Chau, who loudly threatened to push Bang into the sea. Afterwards, both returned to their work.

The next morning, Chau recalled the conflict from the previous day. The lingering anger caused her to lose her composure and push Bang into the sea, falling in with him. In the open ocean, instead of trying to save each other, they continued to struggle, with Chau holding Bang's head underwater for about two minutes. The strong waves continued to crash, sweeping them about 10 meters from the boat. Seeing Bang's strength failing, Chau swam back to the boat. Bang, now almost completely unable to resist, struggled and gradually sank beneath the sea.

When the ship docked at An Thoi port in Phu Quoc special economic zone, Chau did not flee but surrendered to the police, confessing to all his crimes. At the trial, Chau said: "I am very remorseful, I apologize." The apology came too late, as the captain could never return to his family. Chau, however, paid the price with 13 years in prison, sacrificing years of freedom for a moment of uncontrolled anger.

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Pham Nguyen Hoai Thanh's first sea voyage ended with an 8-year prison sentence. Photo: Ut Chuyen

Another case that left many heartbroken involved Pham Nguyen Hoai Thanh (17 years old), residing in Vinh Tuy commune, who secretly left his family to work on the fishing boat KG-96123-TS. Around 3:20 PM on December 13, 2025, while the boat was fishing near the Tho Chau special economic zone, Thanh got into an argument with a fisherman named Phong. In a fit of anger, Phong loudly insulted Thanh, calling him "ill-mannered." Unable to control his emotions, Thanh lunged at Phong. Afterward, Thanh saw a knife used for cutting dried squid on the deck and grabbed it, stabbing Phong.

The fishermen on board immediately rushed to intervene, bandaged Phong's wounds, and helped him into the cabin to rest. The captain then quickly turned the boat around to head back to shore to take the victim to the hospital. However, out at sea, medical facilities were virtually nonexistent. Due to the lack of timely medical attention, Phong died that same night. The victim's death shocked everyone on the ship, and Thanh fell into a state of panic.

When the ship docked the following day, Thanh went to the Tay Yen Border Guard Post to confess his crime. At the trial, representatives of the victim's family expressed sympathy and asked the court to consider mitigating circumstances for the defendant. The victim's relatives argued that Thanh was young, had limited understanding, and that the incident was something no one wished to happen. Although the loss is irreparable, the family still hoped the defendant would have a chance to correct his mistakes. Despite being considered for several mitigating circumstances such as his sincere confession, surrender, and young age, Thanh still received an 8-year prison sentence for murder.

The sea, the source of livelihood for countless fishing families, is not a place where personal conflicts end in bloodshed and tears. A moment of losing control of emotions, followed by apologies or remorse, cannot bring back the life of the deceased or the years of freedom of the perpetrator. Whether at sea or on land, calmness, compromise, and respect for the law are always the "lifelines" that prevent unnecessary tragedies.

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UT CHUYEN

Source: https://baoangiang.com.vn/mau-thuan-giua-khoi-xa-a491253.html