Rescue ship SAR 274 from the Zone II Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (Da Nang MRCC) is dubbed as the ‘guardian angel’ for Vietnamese fishermen as it has safely brought back numerous offshore fishermen in distress at sea to the mainland over the past years.

SAR 274’s lifeboat, with 4 crew members onboard, rushing to the scene to help fishermen in danger at sea

According to Mr Bui Tan Nguyen, the Director of the Da Nang MRCC, last year saw the SAR 274 rescue dozens of distressed fishing boats at sea, with a large number of crew members onboard.

Since the start of this year, a total of 4 rescue cases have been conducted effectively.

More recently, after 25 hours of facing high waves and strong wind, SAR 274 rescued a total of 11 local crew members who were in distress after their boat had suffered a rudder breakdown while fishing in the national waters. 

Each of SAR 274’s rescue trips is a race against time to come to the rescue of those in distress, a struggle against rough seas and stormy weather, and also an ordeal with other looming menaces.  Its crew members always do their utmost in their rescue activities because every minute that passes reduces victims’ chances of survival.

In late last year, SAR 274 captain Phan Xuan Son in his fifties, along with his crew members, made a breathtaking rescue a total of 7 fishermen from Quang Binh Province’s Bo Trach District in danger at waters of Viet Nam’s Hoang Sa (Paracel) Archipelago.

Captain Son recalled that, after receiving an SOS message from the distressed fishing boat, the SAR 412 headed straight in a quickly fashion to the waters off Hoang Sa to help the victims as their chances of survival were left hanging by a thread. 

However, on the way to the boat’s rescue, the SAR 412’s crew members could not keep in contact with the distressed boat due to an expected technical problem.  At that time, all the rescuers felt very upset and disappointed as all the fishermen were thought to have died at sea after the sinking.

Fortunately, upon arriving at the scene, the rescuers spotted all the fishermen adrift in a basket boat, and these victims were waiting in desperation to be rescued.  At that time, the weather at sea was very bad, with strong wind and 3m-high waves, driving the victims into panic. 

The rescued fishermen have burst into tears of joy after the successful rescue, and they expressed their deep gratitude to the SAR 412’s crew for having brought them back to life.  

The captain and owner of the distressed boat, Mr Nguyen Van Than, remarked that the rescuers’ great dedication and high sense of responsibility really make him and other Vietnamese fishermen feel very secured whilst conducting their fishing activities in the national waters. 

As for the ‘heroes’, the memories of the rescue would remain deep in their minds.
SAR 412’s crew members are always on duty around the clock, 7 days a week, and are willing to brave the most unforgiving weather to do their missions.

SAR 274 captain Son re-affirmed the rescuers’ firm stance of giving the top priority to ensuring the ultimate safety of victims at sea and their properties.

In the coming time, the local maritime rescue forces will continue their efforts to perform their assigned tasks well, thereby wining the trust of Vietnamese fishermen. 

Given such great support from the rescuers, Vietnamese fishermen are strongly determined to fish in a bid to earn their livings, as well as to protect the country’s sacred sovereignty over its sea and islands, regardless of possible devastating blows facing them at sea.