Lieutenant Colonel Tran Van Binh, Deputy Commander of the Sinh Ton Island harbor - Photo: YEN TRINH
Recalling the time his ship broke down while fishing in the Truong Sa (Spratly) Islands, Captain Huynh Van Minh was moved: "The officers at the Truong Sa harbor not only repaired the ship for free but also wholeheartedly guided us on fishing routes and provided life jackets, food, and water... They are truly a source of support for us, allowing us to feel secure while fishing at sea."
Mr. Minh's ship is one of countless cases that the 129th Naval Squadron (Navy) has assisted over the years.
Lieutenant Colonel Bui Ngoc Sang, Political Commissar of Naval Squadron 129, shared that the mission of search and rescue and assisting fishermen is a heartfelt command that the crew constantly reminds each other of every day so that fishermen are not alone amidst the vast ocean waves.
Dedicated to supporting fishermen in times of crisis.
Recalling past events, Captain Minh (from Tuy Hoa, Dak Lak ) recounted that on March 9th, while his ship was in the area southwest of Da Lat Island in Vietnam's Truong Sa archipelago, the net winch broke down.
He immediately remembered the rescue unit, the Logistics and Technical Service Center of Truong Sa Island (Truong Sa Island Shipyard), and asked for their help.
Immediately, the command center instructed his ship to maneuver into the dock, and at the same time dispatched a technical team to survey, inspect, dismantle equipment, and assess the extent of the damage. Two days later, the ship was repaired, and he was overjoyed to the point of tears.
Since its establishment in 1978, the officers and soldiers of Naval Squadron 129 have lost count of how many times they have stood side-by-side with fishermen during emergencies at sea. With a weathered face, Lieutenant Colonel Tran Van Binh, Deputy Commander of the Sinh Ton Island harbor, said that Naval Squadron 129 was assigned to manage and operate the harbors and fishing villages from 2016, and he has been there since 2018.
"Our main tasks are managing the harbor, assisting fishermen with boat repairs, providing shelter from storms, supplying fresh water and necessities, and raising awareness about maritime sovereignty and legal fishing practices. Gradually, more and more fishermen have come to know us, and we have become a pillar of support for them," Mr. Binh shared.
In the event of storms or emergencies, fishermen no longer have to worry about sailing back to shore because they have the shelter of the harbor.
Mr. Binh emotionally added: "Even if the fishermen run out of vegetables, food, and fresh water on their boats, we will still support and share, it's just that it won't be much."
I clearly remember the fierce storm in November 2018, when more than 80 boats docked here. The fishermen said that if anything happened to them, their bodies could at least return to their hometowns, whereas drifting on the sea like before the harbor was incredibly risky."
In 2019, another storm hit, and Lieutenant Colonel Binh and his colleagues guided the local people to seek shelter, reinforce and secure their boats to ensure safety.
Because the number of ships sheltering in the harbor was limited, he instructed dozens of other ships to steer clear of the storm, saying, "The wind is about to change, everyone, move in this direction, go around behind the island..."
If a boat unfortunately breaks its mooring rope and drifts away, the crew helps to pull it in, secure it, and anchor it. Storms often strike at night, and sensing the life-or-death situation of the fishermen, the officers and soldiers also work tirelessly to provide support throughout the night.
Before the storm arrived, the unit prepared mooring ropes, spotlights, loudspeakers, and arranged resting places for the locals if they needed to stay on the island. If the storm hadn't hit yet, the soldiers even brought out a TV for the locals to watch football, creating a warm and cozy atmosphere like family.
Hailing from Ninh Binh , the man with over 30 years of military service, stroking his graying hair, said simply: "It's all for the duty, for the people."
After the storm, seeing the people safe and happy reassured us. Some fishermen who returned to land even called to inquire about our unit and the crew at the harbor. These are truly spiritual gifts that encourage us to complete our mission."
Naval Squadron 129 provides free fresh water to fishermen at harbors and fishing villages - Photo: Naval Squadron 129
A solid foundation for fishermen.
Supporting fishermen would be impossible without the role of naval ship captains.
Major Vo Ngoc Linh, Captain of ship 746 (Naval Squadron 129), shared that they faced many situations that required handling. He recalled one afternoon in early September 2024 while on duty in the Truong Sa archipelago area when they received information that a fishing vessel had suffered engine failure about 10 nautical miles from the island.
"At that time, the waves were high, the wind was strong, and it was raining heavily. I quickly consulted with others, calculating how to get directly to the location of the distressed ship as quickly as possible. That area had no signal, so some of my colleagues had to stay at the bow of the ship to persistently maintain contact with the people in distress," Major Linh recounted.
A short while later, the crew approached the distressed fishing vessel with the plan of dropping buoys and attaching tow ropes to tow it to the Truong Sa harbor. The harbor entrance was shallow and narrow; even one vessel entering was difficult, let alone towing it along.
Lĩnh shared his feelings: "I remember it was the fishing boat of an elderly fisherman from Binh Dinh province. When his boat was towed into the harbor, we felt truly relieved; everyone was moved to have helped our fellow countrymen."
Having served as a captain for four years, this official from Nghe An province still clearly remembers his first voyage as captain in 2022, when his mission was to patrol and disseminate international regulations on marine fisheries.
Lĩnh recounted: "At that time, I was a little worried but also very proud and determined to fulfill my duty. Seeing a fishing boat approaching the demarcation line, we quickly approached and reminded the fishermen. Everything went well, and we became even more aware of our responsibility at sea."
Emergency transport of fisherman who suffered a stroke.
On the afternoon of March 3rd, ship 741 of the 129th Naval Squadron promptly transported fisherman Nguyen Van Thuong (47 years old) to Truong Sa Island for emergency treatment. Earlier, while fishing in the area of Da Lat Island (Truong Sa Special Zone, Khanh Hoa province), Mr. Thuong suddenly suffered a stroke.
Upon receiving the order, ship 741, which was on duty near the area, quickly mobilized to receive the patient and promptly transported him to Truong Sa Island for emergency treatment.
Throughout the journey, the officers and staff on board, along with the on-duty medical personnel, provided care and monitored the patients' health conditions.
Protecting sacred maritime sovereignty and islands.
Ship 746 tows a fishing boat with a broken engine back to the harbor of Truong Sa Island to ensure its safety amidst rough seas - Photo: 129th Naval Squadron
Naval Squadron 129 is in charge of two harbors at Sinh Ton Island, Truong Sa, and two fishing villages at Toc Tan Island, Nui Le.
These are the nation's outposts in protecting maritime sovereignty, providing shelter from storms for fishermen, assisting in disaster relief, supplying necessities and materials at mainland prices, and providing free fresh water.
According to Lieutenant Colonel Bui Ngoc Sang, rescuing fishermen operating in the Truong Sa fishing grounds is characterized by weather conditions and distance from shore, therefore the unit always prioritizes speed, decisiveness, and readiness to serve the people.
From 2025 to the present, the harbors and fishing villages in the Truong Sa archipelago managed by Naval Squadron 129 have arranged shelter for thousands of fishing vessels, provided fuel and fresh water to more than 850 fishing vessels, repaired machinery for more than 55 fishing vessels, and donated many national flags, life jackets, and medicines.
During the repair and remediation period, staff at the docks and fishing villages combined the work with disseminating information on Government Directive 45 regarding the European Commission's warning against illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing; and encouraged and guided fishermen to fish in traditional fishing grounds.
In the coming period, the unit will strengthen support and assistance for fishermen at sea, contributing to the effective implementation of the program "The Vietnamese Navy as a support for fishermen to venture out to sea and stay close to the sea"; improving the capacity to support people more effectively at harbors and fishing villages so that they can feel secure in staying at sea, contributing to the firm protection of the sacred sovereignty of the sea and islands.
Source: https://tuoitre.vn/menh-lenh-trai-tim-giua-trung-khoi-20260520104622156.htm
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