“Living milestone” at sea
The smartphone lit up, Mr. Danh Phu clicked on the familiar icon on the screen, flashing green dots appeared, from the fishing boat number, coordinates, speed, direction of movement were clearly and detailedly located. In just a few hours, the fishing logistics ships will arrive one after another.
The hands that were once used to fishing, now skillfully operate on smartphones, affirming that the digital lifestyle of fishermen has caught up with technology. Thanks to the voyage monitoring device (VMS), the electronic seafood traceability system (eCDT), managing fishing vessels and identifying fishing grounds has become easier than ever. Talking about the job, Mr. Danh Phu confided: "At first, I was not used to it, it felt too difficult, but with the guidance of the Border Guards, everyone is proficient."
Born on the pearl island of Phu Quoc, the salty taste of the sea permeated his childhood soul. The murmuring sound of the ocean waves, the soaring seagulls and his mother's lullaby are forever beautiful memories. Growing up, the young man of the Khmer ethnic group volunteered to join the army (1978), working at the Phu Quoc district military command. After completing his military service, he returned to his hometown and became involved in fishing.
Being healthy and skilled, he was welcomed by many fishing boat owners. Having some knowledge of mechanical engineering, he took on the job of chief engineer on large offshore fishing boats. When he gained a lot of experience, the ship owners trusted him with the important responsibility of captain. With his industrious, dynamic, hard-working qualities and good judgment, after each long offshore trip, he always brought back to the mainland boat holds full of fish.
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Mr. Danh Phu shares his experience in managing fishing vessels through a software application installed on a mobile phone. |
With a hearty Southern accent, Mr. Danh Phu confided: “In the past, identifying fish streams depended entirely on experience, but now with the support of modern machinery, it is easier.” According to folk experience, when fish streams return, the color of the sea water will change, and unusual ripples will appear. Observing the intensity and density of the seagulls’ prey can also estimate the number of fish.
The story becomes more interesting when he talks about the habit of fish following schools. Each sea area will have a few typical fish species living, experienced people will know when the fish return, how to exploit them, when to fish close to shore, when to go far away. For him, the taboo is not to exploit during the fish spawning season, in order to protect, preserve and develop diverse and sustainable marine resources.
To have that little bit of capital, he also had to experience reality and draw conclusions for himself. In addition to having a good memory and being familiar with fishing grounds, he also had a firm grasp of maritime laws, so the crew members felt very secure when fishing at sea.
Love your neighbor as yourself
Putting the notebook on the corner of the table, Mr. Danh Phu was about to turn off the light and go to bed when the phone rang. On the other end of the line, his old friend's voice was enthusiastic: "The hospital has just received an emergency case, the child is from a poor household, the family is in a very difficult situation, the father died early, the mother is a hired worker, really needs the help of the community". Before hanging up, his friend did not forget to provide full information, address, and phone number of the person to contact. Looking into the night, it felt like there was a black hole separating them. The order to save people rang in his head, without hesitation, Mr. Danh Phu opened the closet, took his coat, and took a taxi to the hospital.
On the pearl island, people often call him by the intimate name: "Uncle Hai". Because, Uncle Hai is not only easy to approach but also very emotional, he has helped many people both materially and spiritually. Like the case of Mr. Nguyen Van Meo, born in 1973, who has hip necrosis and a number of other underlying diseases.
Mr. Meo is from another province and rented a room in Suoi Da hamlet, Duong To commune, Phu Quoc city. One day, he felt pain in his body and went to the doctor. The doctor concluded that he had hip necrosis and needed to be treated soon. If he was late, he would be at risk of becoming disabled. At that moment, he was pessimistic and needed relatives by his side, but there were none. He had no money either. He rented a house, his wife and children lived far away, and his illness was lurking. Thinking of that, he had to leave himself to fate.
Knowing the story, Mr. Danh Phu came to see him and encouraged him: "Health is the most valuable asset of a person, I will accompany you". So all the procedures from hospital fees to daily living were taken care of by him. Due to the high cost of treatment, in addition to his own money, he also mobilized his friends, some more and some less, to join hands to help. On the day of discharge, Mr. Nguyen Van Meo held his weather-beaten hands tightly with tears in his eyes.
The ancients taught that “a stable life leads to a happy life”, meaning that only when life is stable can one feel secure and happy to do business. Stopping by the house of Mr. Tien Ram (Hamlet Giong Ke, Commune Phu Loi, District Giang Thanh, Province Kien Giang ) still smells of paint. Looking at the spacious, well-furnished house with shiny ceramic tiled floors, no one would think that it used to be a shabby shack.
Under the shade of a green tree, Mr. Tien Ram confided about his private life. Because the family had many siblings, after the wedding, he and his wife asked to live separately and built a small temporary house at the front of the hamlet. As the years passed, the house also seriously deteriorated, during the day the sun shone on the floor, at night he lay counting the stars in the sky. The worst days were rainy and windy, the blankets and mosquito nets were soaked, no different from the yard. His only wish was to build a new house so that his wife and children would have less trouble.
Then the “Farmer’s Shelter” program was launched, Mr. Danh Phu donated 50 million VND to his family to build a house. On the groundbreaking day, all the neighbors were present, each helping the workers. In addition to the support money and savings, the couple borrowed money from relatives to build additional works. Placing the bonsai pots in the corner of the house, he boasted that he would plant a few more orchid pots in front of the porch to welcome the flower season next year.
The fire of the profession burns forever
After packing the shipment, the image of anchovies printed on the carton seemed to touch the nostalgia of the past: "Anchovies are more fragrant than anchovies/ Because of my love for fish sauce, I ran away from my mother to follow you."
Talking about anchovies is talking about the raw materials of the islands. Pearl Island (Phu Quoc), Mong Tay Island, May Rut Trong Island, Dam Ngang Island, Thom Island... besides the poetic beauty, they also carry the culture of famous craft villages. Phu Quoc fish sauce is the quintessence of Vietnamese cuisine , the flavor, the emotion that brings memories of "remembering when far away, loving when close".
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Mr. Danh Phu and his wife are always proud of their family's traditional fish sauce making profession. |
After many years of saving money, Mr. Danh Phu discussed with his wife about opening a fish sauce factory. In 1997, Hai Nguyen private enterprise officially started operating, creating jobs for the neighbors.
From locally available raw materials such as anchovies and sea salt, along with many years of experience in fermenting and extracting fish sauce, his facility has produced a high-protein fish sauce. The product is completely natural, without preservatives or flavorings, very beneficial to health and safe for consumers.
Speaking of standards, Mr. Danh Phu said that good fish sauce must meet 4 criteria: Color, clarity, smell, taste. To put it simply, fish sauce has a straw yellow color, shimmering like honey, when the product is held up to a light source it is transparent, has a harmonious salty-sweet taste, a light aroma, a natural protein taste, and is not too harsh on the tip of the tongue.
Despite his old age, Mr. Danh Phu is still trusted by the people to be elected as the head of the residential group; head of the boat and safety group; and head of the solidarity group at sea. In addition, he also supports two more fishing boats. One of them is with the locality to participate in disaster prevention, rescue, and relief; the other is with the border guards to propagate laws at sea. Over the years, he has also ordered thousands of national flags and pictures of Uncle Ho to give to the owners of fishing boats when they go out to sea.
Talking about the old fisherman with a deep love for the sea, Lieutenant Colonel Danh Tam, Political Commissar of the Border Guard Command of Duong Dong Port (Border Guard of Kien Giang Province) shared: "Uncle Danh Phu is a prestigious person of the Khmer people, a typical veteran, he actively participates with the Border Guard to disseminate and propagate the law at sea, joining hands to remove the yellow card for the Vietnamese seafood industry".
The sun had set, and the streets were brightly lit. Passing by the house, Mr. Danh Phu was still busy wrapping gifts. After a firm handshake, he said enthusiastically: "We must hurry up and do it, so that tomorrow morning we can go to school to give out prizes to poor students with high achievements."
The phone rang again. On the other end of the line, a young man's voice excitedly announced: "Our ship has just docked. The trip was safe and successful. Everyone is in good health, Uncle Hai."
Source: https://www.qdnd.vn/phong-su-dieu-tra/cuoc-thi-nhung-tam-guong-binh-di-ma-cao-quy-lan-thu-16/nguoi-vac-tu-va-dao-ngoc-832825
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