Homeland on ships

Amidst the vast expanse of the sea, the red flag with a yellow star atop the ship is a familiar sight, accompanying fishermen on every voyage. It is not only a symbol of a Vietnamese vessel, but also a source of pride and an affirmation of the sacred sovereignty of the nation's seas and islands.

The national flag is always displayed in the highest and most prominent position on the ship.

For Mr. Pham Van Linh, owner of the TH-91956.TS vessel in Khang Phu residential area, Sam Son ward, each trip out to sea is not only a journey of earning a living, but also a lasting commitment to the sea and islands of his homeland.

Having made his living at sea for over 30 years, Mr. Linh has always considered the national flag to be the soul of his ship, so hoisting the national flag on the ship's deck is an extremely important act for him.

"Before each voyage, I always replace the national flag on my boat. Out at sea, there are times when unexpected storms come, and all you see is water. But whenever I see the flag flying, my heart feels secure, as if my homeland is very close," Mr. Linh shared.

With the same mindset, Mr. Nguyen Ngoc Hung, residing in Lien Thinh residential area, Hai Binh ward, and owner of the fishing vessel TH-91956.TS, always considers flying the national flag on each voyage to be sacred and meaningful.

Mr. Hung confided: "If the flag is faded or torn at the corner, I replace it immediately. Fishermen may be poor, the boat may be old, but the flag must not be torn or faded."

For Mr. Hung, that carefulness has become a habit. Because during long sea voyages, the flying national flag is also a signal for fellow crew members to recognize each other and help each other when needed.

"Drifting on the open sea is fraught with danger and uncertainty. When we fly the national flag, we feel proud and reassured. Thanks to the national flag, we can easily spot each other and provide timely support in case of accidents or danger. This creates a strong sense of solidarity among us seafarers," Mr. Hung said.

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Fishermen double-check that the national flag is hoisted before each trip out to sea.

In the minds of every fisherman, fishing is not only a means of livelihood for their families, but more importantly, a sacred duty to the nation. Therefore, every fishing trip carries the image of the national flag. Flying the national flag on the vessel affirms the ship's nationality and demonstrates respect for diplomatic protocol, especially at this time when the entire country is resolutely implementing regulations against illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing.

According to Lieutenant Colonel Hoang Ngoc Trung, Political Officer of the Hai Hoa Border Guard Station, Thanh Hoa Provincial Border Guard Command, the act of fishermen flying the national flag on their fishing boats clearly demonstrates their sense of sovereignty and civic responsibility at sea. Fishermen are not only a productive workforce but also play a crucial role in protecting maritime sovereignty and islands. Each vessel flying the red flag with a yellow star is a "living landmark," affirming Vietnam's presence in its traditional waters.

According to statistics, the province currently has more than 6,500 fishing vessels, including over 1,000 large-capacity fishing vessels participating in seafood exploitation in the Gulf of Tonkin, the central provinces, and fishing grounds in the Truong Sa and Hoang Sa sea areas.

Over the years, along with disseminating information and guiding regulations against IUU fishing, functional forces and local authorities have presented thousands of national flags to fishermen through programs such as: "Giving the national flag to fishermen to stay at sea"; "Proud of the national flag"... On each ship sailing out to sea, the flag is not only an identification mark but also a symbol of the will to stay at sea and protect the sea.

Presenting the national flag further motivates fishermen to stay at sea.

Furthermore, to strengthen and instill confidence in fishermen, in recent times, functional forces have coordinated with relevant departments and units to implement many effective movements and models, such as: Solidarity and production groups for fishing vessels at sea; Self-managed safety groups for fishing vessels; Self-managed security and order groups at sea... By participating in these models, fishermen regularly receive information about the law, build solidarity, and help each other to venture out to sea and maintain their livelihoods.

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Lieutenant Colonel Le Van Hieu, Political Officer of Sam Son Border Guard Station, Thanh Hoa Provincial Border Guard Command, shared: "We consider accompanying fishermen not only a duty, but also a matter of affection and responsibility. Every year, the Thanh Hoa Border Guard has organized many events to present the national flag and portraits of President Ho Chi Minh to fishermen in coastal communes and wards. Presenting the national flag to the people is a way of conveying trust, so that on each fishing trip, fishermen feel they always have support from the mainland. At the same time, through propaganda activities, we hope that people will raise their awareness of complying with the law, exploiting marine resources according to regulations, working together to remove the IUU 'yellow card', and contributing to building a sustainable fisheries industry."

"Each flag handed out carries a message about law and order, about a sense of responsibility when working at sea. Because when fishermen strictly abide by regulations and maintain the image of Vietnamese fishing vessels, they are also contributing to protecting national sovereignty and prestige in the international arena," Lieutenant Colonel Le Van Hieu added.

Van Anh

Source: https://baothanhhoa.vn/to-quoc-tren-nhung-con-tau-291552.htm