In the midst of the vast ocean, Da Nang’s border guard officers and soldiers always make every effort to fulfill their assigned tasks to safeguard national sovereignty at sea, suppress criminal activities at sea, take action against Illegal fishing, and conduct search and rescue operations at sea.

Officers and soldiers of the 2nd Border Guard Squadron conducting search and rescue operations at sea. Photo: PHUONG MINH

The 2^nd Border Guard Squadron worked with local relevant units to organise the ‘Border in March’ program at the Hoang Sa Exhibition House located in Son Tra District, in March. To mark this occasion, the organizers presented national flags and life jackets to owners of offshore fishing vessels in this district.

Senior Lieutenant Vo Minh Dac from the 2^nd Border Guard Squadron highlighted the important role of fishermen in supporting local border guard force to safeguard national sovereignty over sea and islands.

Fisherman Tran Chien from Nai Hien Dong Ward, Son Tra District expressed his sincere thanks and gratitude to Da Nang’s border guard officers and soldiers for their active support given to local fishermen to help them feel safe and secure to head out to sea in an attempt to contribute to promoting the development of the city’s economy and protecting national sovereignty at sea.

Lieutenant Colonel Bui Anh Tu, the Captain of the 2^nd Border Guard Squadron highlighted huge efforts local border guard force has made to take on responsibility for their assigned tasks and do their best to accomplish their duties despite dangers at sea like big waves and high winds.

While patrolling, the 2^nd Border Guard Squadron spotted 4 foreign vessels and chased away them as they operated illegally in Vietnamese waters. In addition, heed was paid to raising awareness of Vietnamese and International Maritime Laws among local fishermen. Special attention was given to promoting strict compliance with International Fisheries Law among Vietnamese fishermen in a bid to encourage them to not infringe on the sovereignty of neighbouring countries' waters while fishing at sea, as well as not enter sites for oil and gas drilling and extraction, and follow COVID-19 regulations.

In 2021, the 2^nd Border Guard Squadron sucessfully rescued two fishermen in distress at sea and brought them to the mainland safely. Besides, the unit worked with the Son Tra Border Guard Station to faciliate thousands of vessels which anchored on the Da Nang Bay and the Han River to find safe shelters during the bad weather. Moreover, 100 border guard officers and soldiers were deployed to Hoang Sa coastal route to get engaged in the clean-up and recovery work after a storm.

Upon receiving a report of a fire at the Tho Quang Fishing Wharf, the 2^nd Border Guard Squadron immediately sent 2 ships along with 28 officers and soldiers to the scene in order to support firefighters to battle to control the flames. They helped 7 fishing boats move out of the fire area, and these boats were towed to a safe place. As a result, there was no loss of life or serious injury and no great damage to property.

Colonel Nguyen Van Thuong, the Politician of the 2^nd Border Guard Squadron said that the unit will continue its efforts to build organizational strength and increase mutual solidarity between military personnel and local people, as well as uphold the spirit of determination and dedication within its officers and soldiers in order to protect the national sovereignty over sea and its islands.

Reporting by PHUONG MINH – Translating by H.L