Ho Chi Minh City issues plan to ensure safety at sea, on rivers and search and rescue

The new plan clearly stipulates the responsibility for coordination between forces when incidents occur on rivers and at sea; at the same time, it strengthens preventive measures, warns of risks and improves the effectiveness of search and rescue in the waters of Ho Chi Minh City's seaports.

On the afternoon of December 5, Vice Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee Bui Minh Thanh signed Decision No. 3037/QD-UBND on the plan to ensure safety for people and boats operating on rivers, at sea, and in seaport waters; and at the same time, regulations on coordination of search and rescue work in the city.

The new plan emphasizes the goal of protecting people's lives, minimizing property damage and ensuring safe and smooth waterway traffic.

Ho Chi Minh City issues plan to ensure safety of boats and search and rescue. Photo: QUOC HUNG

Accordingly, Ho Chi Minh City aims to improve prevention capacity, multi-sectoral command and coordination capabilities and mobilize maximum local forces according to the "4 on-site" motto. Agencies and units are required to maintain serious duty, quickly handle distress reports and deploy forces in the shortest time when incidents occur. The management of vessels, crew, fishing grounds, aquatic cage systems, etc. will be strictly controlled to proactively inform and guide disaster prevention.

The scope of application of the plan includes the sea area of ​​Ho Chi Minh City, the river and estuary system of Ho Chi Minh City and neighboring areas, boat anchorage areas, aquaculture areas and the entire seaport waters.

Regarding the rescue force, the Ho Chi Minh City Command (directly the Border Guard) is in command when an incident occurs at sea, the City Police (Fire and Rescue Police force) is responsible for emergency situations on the river, and the Maritime Port Authority is in charge of the seaport waters. For incidents handled by the Central agency, Ho Chi Minh City will coordinate to support forces as requested.

The People's Committees of wards and communes are responsible for disseminating legal regulations, keeping a close eye on the number of vessels entering and leaving ports, updating the location of fishing vessels operating at sea and proactively providing guidance on safe anchoring during storms or tropical depressions. The Department of Agriculture and Environment is assigned to direct the Fisheries and Fisheries Surveillance Department to strengthen the registration and inspection of fishing vessels, organize training for captains and chief engineers and monitor offshore fishing vessels.

The Ho Chi Minh City Command and the Border Guard strictly control departures, resolutely not allowing ships with expired inspections or lacking safety equipment to set sail. The Coastal Information Station is responsible for transmitting weather information, guiding ships to avoid dangerous areas and receiving rescue information to transfer to the authorities.

The plan also clearly stipulates the responsibilities of the captain and ship owner in fully equipping safety equipment, communication systems, life buoys and maintaining the safety status of the vehicle. In case of natural disasters, the ship owner must proactively report the location and comply with the dispatch instructions of the competent authorities.

Notably, the process of receiving and handling distress reports is regulated uniformly. Call center 112 acts as a focal point for receiving incident reports 24/7, connecting with other emergency numbers such as 113, 114, 115. The forces are responsible for maintaining contact with the victims, collecting necessary information, verifying the source of information and promptly reporting to the Ho Chi Minh City Civil Defense Command to mobilize forces.

In case the incident exceeds the capacity of the on-site forces, the city will establish a Forward Command Post, coordinate all participating forces, and request support from the Military Commands or the National Civil Defense Steering Committee when necessary.

The People's Committee also requested all departments, branches and People's Committees of wards and communes to develop detailed plans suitable to actual conditions, organize regular reviews and reports and promptly propose adjustments when problems arise. Ensuring financial resources is carried out in accordance with the provisions of the State Budget Law and related legal documents.

QUOC HUNG

Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/tphcm-ban-hanh-phuong-an-dam-bao-an-toan-tren-bien-tren-song-va-tim-kiem-cuu-nan-post827118.html