Going out to sea with the fisheries inspectors.

I had previously accompanied a delegation from the 5th Naval Region Command on a New Year's visit to the armed forces stationed on the islands in 2020, and this time the feeling was just as exciting as that trip. Boarding the fisheries patrol vessel KN-612-KG, I was warmly welcomed by the crew. Pouring me a cup of fragrant tea, Mr. Nguyen Huu Hung – the head of the delegation – jokingly remarked, “With your fair complexion, you'll surely be quite 'salty' when you return from this trip!” Then he told me about the itinerary, from the waters of Tac Cau to Linh Huynh, Ha Tien, then to Xeo Nhau, along the islands, before finally returning to Rach Gia.

Fishermen rest their boats after a long, arduous night searching for schools of fish. Photo: THANH TIEN

The trip lasted several days and required considerable physical fitness. Having been at sea before, I wasn't intimidated and was very excited to board. After storing my backpack, I stood on the deck and gazed out at the sea. Before me stretched a vast expanse of water, still reddish with silt. A crew member told me, "The water is still murky near the shore. It will be clearer tonight when we go out to sea!" Hearing that, I felt incredibly restless, wishing for nightfall to come quickly!

After anchoring for a few hours on duty, the fisheries patrol vessel KN-612-KG set sail, leaving behind the Linh Huynh estuary, which gradually sank into the tranquil night. After traveling a considerable distance, the vessel anchored again to "join forces" with other ships in the group. Explaining this, Mr. Nguyen Huu Hung said: "It's cooler out here and we avoid mosquito bites. The crew rests until midnight before setting off again. Our mission starts from midnight until morning."

After a delicious dinner of sour fish soup, I stepped out onto the deck to enjoy the gentle breeze. Indeed, the sea is a place of surging waves and wind. Sitting on the deck, I let my mind wander with the vastness of the water and the endless sky. In that immensity, occasionally a few fishing boats appeared, anchored and resting, their lights illuminating the water's surface like a sheet of silver.

Sitting with me, Mr. Nguyen Van Tong, chief engineer of the KN-612-KG vessel, shared his story of his connection with the sea. He's from Ca Mau and works in An Giang . He only occasionally returns home, spending most of his time on the ship. For him, the ship is his home, and the sea is his homeland. He confided, "I've gotten used to living with the sea. If I'm ashore for a while, I miss it. The feeling the sea gives me, though simple, is strangely captivating!"

Then he guided me through the silent night sea. A vast expanse of light emanated from the distance—the city of Rach Gia, the constantly flashing red lights of the power poles carrying shimmering light from the mainland to the islands and islets. This was evidence of the province's aspiration to further exploit its marine economic potential so that the islands and islets would no longer be so far from the mainland.

Following the direction pointed out by the village chief, I vaguely identified Quéo Island, Tre Island, Nghệ Island, or the Bà Lụa archipelago. Further in the distance, as far as the eye could see, was Hà Tiên, but the night sea was too dark to see clearly. The village chief laughed: "That's just for orientation; you'll have to wait until morning to see clearly. At this hour, it's impossible!"

As night fell, the sea breeze grew colder. Tran Hoang Huy, another member of the group, urged me to go to bed early. He said, "You should try to sleep early because it will be hard to sleep later when the ship sails!" I went down to the ship's hold to rest. With a mattress provided, I was sure I would have a good night's sleep. However, the waves kept rocking the ship, and my sleep was rocking along with them. I packed a few small plastic bags in my backpack just in case!

As I drifted off to sleep, I suddenly heard the sound of the ship's engine. It was almost 2 o'clock. My crewmates jumped up as usual, quickly moving from their beds to the deck. Only I was still fumbling around, not knowing where to begin! Reaching the deck, I was startled by the biting cold rain. Even in the cockpit, I could feel the raindrops pattering against the ship's windows.

Captain Nguyen Van Kha sighed, "Tonight's trip is a bit tiring, the rain and wind are too strong!" A little later, he decided to anchor the ship until the rain stopped before continuing the journey. Because the fisheries patrol boat wasn't very large, the captain had to be careful to ensure everyone's safety. I sat silently in a corner, fighting off sleepiness; my camera was useless at that moment. The rain subsided, and the ship started its engine, heading straight for Xeo Nhau.

First Mate Dinh Thanh An brewed a strong pot of tea to wake the crew. He offered me a cup, but couldn't quite reach it because of the rocking waves. He joked, "Drink quickly once you get the cup, or the sea will drink it all!" I laughed, feeling a little warmer inside. In the distance, the sky was gradually brightening.

The radar screen in the cockpit clearly displayed the signals of the fishing vessels in operation. Our ship cut through the waves, gliding swiftly across the turbulent sea. The two fisheries inspectors, Huynh Hoang Doan and Tran Hoang Huy, signaled with lights for the fishing vessels to comply and provide the necessary procedures for inspection.

The sky brightened, the sea bathed in the morning sunlight. A flock of seabirds chirped and flew alongside our boat, as if welcoming newcomers from the mainland. Xeo Nhau Port gradually came into view, with many fishing boats anchored, reflecting the bustling activity of the fishing industry. The boat stopped next to the Xeo Nhau Border Guard Control Station, An Giang Border Guard Command. Mr. Nguyen Huu Hung patted my shoulder lightly: “Going out to sea is tough, but try it once and you’ll remember it forever, and you’ll want to go again!”

Due to work requirements, I had to say goodbye to the delegation at Xeo Nhau. Although the trip wasn't very long, it left a special impression on me. Perhaps, someday, I will join those friends and head out to sea!

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