At 66, his hair has turned gray from the salty sea breeze, but every tourist season, Mr. Tư still maintains the habit of waking up at 4:30 a.m. to go to the beach to observe the currents, wave direction, and changes in the water's surface. For him, it's not simply a job, but also a responsibility of someone who has dedicated their entire life to the sea.
Born and raised in the old Bao Ninh area, Mr. Tu knows every current and wave of the sea as intimately as the very breath of his homeland. In his youth, he worked at sea and later served in the military. After his military service, he was entrusted with the responsibility of ensuring rescue operations on Bao Ninh beach. This has been his mission for 17 years, since 2009.
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| Mr. Lai Minh Tu, who has spent 17 years working in maritime rescue - Photo: LT |
"As a lifeguard, you have to observe constantly. You have to be able to recognize who knows how to swim, who doesn't, who is swimming too far out, and who shows signs of exhaustion or drowning," Mr. Tu said, his eyes still fixed on the sea.
That experience didn't come naturally. It's the result of thousands of hours standing in the sun and wind, of plunging into the sea amidst swirling currents, of moments when human lives hung by in the balance, separated by mere minutes.
In recent years, rescue work has become even more stressful as climate change alters the topography and coastal currents. The sea is encroaching deep inland, and dangerous underwater currents have appeared in many places, which are difficult to detect without constant monitoring. Therefore, observing the area every morning has become a mandatory step for Mr. Tư before allowing guests to go swimming. On calm days, the work goes smoothly. But on days with big waves and strong winds, just a few minutes of inattention can lead to an accident.
In the memory of the old rescuer, there were countless times he and his teammates raced against time to bring people in distress to shore. Some had barely escaped death, while others, even after regaining consciousness, were still in shock from being swept away by the strong current.
After 17 years in the profession, Mr. Tư no longer remembers how many people he has saved. He only remembers the feeling of relief and joy in his heart each time he successfully brought someone back safely to their family. That simple joy is enough to keep him committed to the job for nearly two decades.
"Just saving a life makes me happy," he said with a gentle smile. That smile hid so much hardship that not everyone fully understood. Rescue work has no fixed schedule. During peak summer days, the rescue team is almost constantly on edge from early morning until late at night. They observe, remind tourists, and are ready to respond at any time.
What worries Mr. Tư the most is not the big waves or bad weather, but the carelessness of some beachgoers, especially children and students during the summer holidays. Many children don't know how to swim but still go into the sea outside of designated hours or swim far from safe areas. Just one moment of carelessness can lead to heartbreaking consequences.
"We only hope that locals and tourists will follow the instructions of the rescue forces, avoid going into dangerous areas, and not swim outside of the designated hours to ensure their own safety," Mr. Tu shared.
At an age when many people choose to retire and spend time with their children and grandchildren, this man still regularly shows up on the beach every day. His health is not what it used to be, but he still strives to do his job well. For him, it's not just the responsibility of a lifeguard, but also a way to continue his connection with the sea of his homeland, where he grew up, and to preserve its peace.
It's not just Mr. Tư; behind the safety of thousands of beachgoers every day at Nhật Lệ and Bảo Ninh beaches lies the silent and responsible work of an entire rescue force. They are the ones who are always ready, accepting pressure and danger in exchange for the peace of mind of the community.
Mr. Dang Ngoc Hung, Director of the Dong Hoi Ward General Service Center, said: “During the beach tourism season, Nhat Le and Bao Ninh beaches welcome thousands of people every day for recreation and swimming. However, the rescue force currently consists of only about 20 people, divided across the 2.4km length of Nhat Le beach and 600m length of Bao Ninh beach.”
According to Mr. Hung, this places immense pressure on the rescue forces, given the vast area under their management, the large number of tourists, and the particularly dangerous nature of their work. Rescuers need not only swimming and diving skills but also keen observation, the ability to handle situations quickly, and a high sense of responsibility.
"The work is very hard and stressful, but the income of rescue workers is still limited. We hope that all levels and sectors will pay more attention to the benefits and policies so that our colleagues can feel secure and committed to this profession," Mr. Hung shared.
In reality, beach lifeguards play a particularly important role in ensuring the safety of tourists, contributing to building the image of Dong Hoi as a civilized and safe tourist destination. Amidst the scorching summer sun, they quietly carry out their duties, rarely being mentioned by name. These are the people who always stand on the front lines of danger, ready to jump into the sea at the first sign of trouble. They save lives not only with their skills, but also with their responsibility, their love for the sea, and for life itself.
Amidst the vast expanse of the Nhật Lệ and Bảo Ninh waters, the figures of rescuers continue to be present every day, offering a sense of peace and security. And for Mr. Lại Minh Tư, his nearly 20-year journey in rescue work will likely continue as long as he has the strength to walk on the sand and gaze out at the open sea.
Le Thuy
Source: https://baoquangtri.vn/xa-hoi/202605/nhung-nguoi-giu-binh-yen-บน-bai-bien-55900d2/
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