As part of the ongoing US Navy-led Pacific Partnership 2016 (PP16) in Da Nang until 28 July, a large-scale rescue practice, entitled ‘Enhancing the Capacity of Natural Disaster Mitigation, and Search and Rescue’, was held at the city’s Han River Port on Tuesday.

Victims and medical workers at the rescue practice

The 146 attendees were local fishermen, military officers and men, and medical workers, along with crew members from the US Navy Military Sealift Command hospital ship USNS Mercy and the Japanese Navy ship JSDS Shimokita.  Also present at the event were Deputy Minister of Health Pham Le Tuan and municipal People’s Committee Vice Chairman Ho Ky Minh.

In a hypothetical situation, the city was experiencing a storm with gale-force winds of up to 100kph near its centre.  This was accompanied by heavy rains which had produced fast-flowing water on the Han River.

Col Thomas Williams, the commander of PP16, said that this was the first rescue practice which showcased collective coordination amongst the joint forces in all aspects, including information exchange.

The US Ambassador to Viet Nam, Mr Ted Osius, highlighted the thorough preparations for the event and its high practicality.

On Monday, Ambassador Osius paid visits to the East Sea Park, the Chinh Gian Ward medical centre in Thanh Khe District, and the Da Nang General Hospital where PP16 members carried out assigned tasks.

At the East Sea Park, Mr Osius presented Certificates of Merit to 3 outstanding lifeguards who had excelled on a lifesaving training course.  The 8-day course had seen 80 local lifeguards participating under the instruction of 10 of the PP16’s US and Australian rescue officials.

The Ambassador visited patients who were receiving medical treatment at the General Hospital’s Burns Department, and at the Chinh Gian Ward medical centre which was being upgraded by PP16 members.  He also became a judge in a cooking contest at the local SKY-LINE High-quality Pre and Primary School.