Fishermen proactively return to port to avoid storms

KHANH HOA Khanh Hoa fishing boats have urgently returned to safe anchorage at fishing ports, to proactively escape the danger zone, ready to cope with storm No. 13 (storm Kalmaegi).

Accept a loss of 100 million to save life

On the morning of November 5, large offshore fishing vessels lined up to dock at Hon Ro fishing port, Nam Nha Trang ward ( Khanh Hoa province), promptly escaping the danger zone of storm No. 13 (Kalmaegi storm). Information about the storm that is at risk of making landfall in the Central region, including Khanh Hoa province, has been continuously transmitted by the authorities to each fishing vessel operating at sea.

Offshore fishing boats in Khanh Hoa province rush to return to Hon Ro port. Photo: Kim So.

Fisherman Vo Thanh Suu, captain of the KH 91315 TS ship in Bac Nha Trang ward, said that he and eight other fishermen had just gathered their nets to turn back while fishing in the Truong Sa fishing ground. His ship had been fishing since October 31.

"Hearing the storm, I felt it was too strong, so I immediately gathered my net and quickly ran to shore. As long as I had people and property, I did not dare take the risk because the storm was dangerous to my crew's lives," said captain Vo Thanh Suu.

Captain Suu also said that information about the storm came very quickly through satellite communication channels and the walkie-talkie system. Upon receiving the call, all ships operating in the dangerous area immediately returned. Suu's ship had to run for 24 hours to reach the shore, docking at the port in the early morning of November 5.

Fisherman Suu brought his boat from Truong Sa sea area back to Hon Ro port on the morning of November 5. Photo: Kim So.

"Hearing that there would be a strong storm from the 6th, I decided to go in first. If the sea is still calm, I can go in, but if the wind gets stronger, I won't be able to get out in time," Mr. Suu explained. Although the trip only caught 200 kg of striped catfish and lost 100 million VND, fisherman Suu still accepted, waiting for the storm to pass before returning to sea.

Sharing the same sentiment, fisherman Nguyen Xuan Thanh, captain of the KH 96509 TS in Nam Nha Trang ward (a trawl fishing vessel with 9 people) said he had heard the storm warning continuously from the radio. The vessel was fishing near the Truong Sa area, and after hearing the warning, the vessel returned after nearly a month. Therefore, he decided to put aside the last catch of fish to prioritize returning to the safe anchorage at the port.

Ensuring safety for fishing boats at anchor

According to records, in the past 2 days, about 100 offshore fishing boats have returned to Hon Ro fishing port. The initiative and urgency of fishermen shows the effectiveness of warning information work and the spirit of responding to natural disasters has been enhanced. As soon as the boats arrived at Hon Ro fishing port, functional forces including the Border Guard, Nha Trang Fisheries Control Station and Port Management Board were present to regulate and arrange anchorage positions.

Khanh Hoa fishing boats urgently anchored in safe locations to cope with storm No. 13 (Kalmaegi storm). Photo: Kim So.

Mr. Nguyen Van Ba, Head of Hon Ro Fishing Port Management Board, said that, in anticipation of a very strong storm No. 13, the Management Board focused on directing staff and workers to coordinate with functional forces to propagate and guide fishermen to arrange their means, as well as create favorable conditions for new vessels to return to load and unload products. After loading and unloading, the Management Board guided the vessels to the anchorage area, avoid the storm, and anchor properly. Currently, at Hon Ro port, there are 300 fishing vessels anchored in the waters surrounding Hon Ro fishing port.

Regarding anchoring, Mr. Ba added that the anchoring water area at Hon Ro port has clear and specific anchor buoys. The Management Board coordinates with the authorities to guide the anchoring of 3-5 ships on a buoy cluster, and arranges anchors for large and small capacity ships separately. In the coming time, the Management Board will continue to monitor and assign 24/24 hours of duty to both prevent the port area and promptly support people when incidents occur.

Mr. Nguyen Kim Long, Director of Khanh Hoa Aquatic Projects Management Center, said that storm No. 13 is a strong storm with complex developments. The Center has requested the heads of fishing ports and anchorages to closely monitor forecast bulletins and promptly notify captains and owners of vehicles to proactively avoid it. At the same time, review, inspect and maintain equipment and wharves according to the "4 on-site" principle and coordinate with local authorities and Border Guards to guide and arrange for boats to anchor and take shelter, ensuring security and order. Fishing ports and anchorages to avoid storms are on duty 24/24 hours a day.

Mr. Le Dinh Khiem, Head of the Khanh Hoa Province Fisheries and Seas Sub-Department, said that the province currently has 6,953 vessels, including 886 vessels with 5,717 workers at sea. Up to now, all of these vessels have been called to move, not in the danger zone of storm Kalmaegi (storm No. 13). In addition, to proactively respond to storm No. 13, the Sub-Department has coordinated with the Border Guard Command and the Fishing Port Management Board to organize and anchor boats to take shelter safely at anchorage areas and fishing ports. This work will be completed before 2:00 p.m. on November 5 according to the direction of the Provincial People's Committee.

Source: https://nongnghiepmoitruong.vn/ngu-dan-chu-dong-ve-cang-ne-bao-d782386.html