“I rarely miss out any phone calls, I am always available around the clock. After 10.00p.m, a call with strange numbers is a premonition that something bad happened and those in distress may be in desperate need of emergency help. Fortunately, my wife and children sympathise with my hard work, so there are no problems and I am ready for any tough tasks”, said Ho Xuan Phong, the Head of the Rescue Coordination Department of the Da Nang branch of Viet Nam Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (Da Nang MRCC).

Da Nang MRCC deploys timely rescue of a crew member encountering an occupational accident at sea. Photo: D.G.H

As reported by Da Nang MRCC, in 2021, there were 81 accidents at sea. Since the beginning of this year, 24 cases occurred. Most of the accidents are caused by engine failure, drifting, stranding, perforation, shipwreck, collision, water overflow, disappearance and people falling into the sea and suffering unexpected illness.

Every time there is an incident, rescue workers have to go on a rescue trip for 3 - 6 days. In particular, there are very dangerous accidents, affecting not only the lives of crew members but also lifeguards due to inclement weather.

Bravely saving people in danger 

Each 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.

Rescues always do their utmost in their rescue activities because every minute that passes reduces victims’ chances of survival.

Although Phong has joined hundreds of rescue missions at sea for many years, none has left him as many unforgettable memories as the one that happened on October 8, 2020.

At that time, he and his teammates joined the challenging rescue of Ha Noi-based logistics firm-owned cargo vessel Vietship 01 that was swept away by floods and rough seas as it docked at Cua Viet Port in the central province of Quang Tri in the face of typhoon Linfa’s wind gusts.

It was really a tough task because the handling of this very serious incident required the agility and courage of the crew members.

Mr. Phong said that after receiving the SOS message, he and his staff immediately set off, only in time to get dressed in uniforms and work protective gears. After that, Da Nang MRCC sent a canoe to Cua Viet Beach to approach the Vietship 01.

During the 6 days of rescue, all of the rescuers were almost immersed in the water in wet protective suits. Heavy rains, strong winds and rough seas derailed rescue efforts and the vessel sank to the bottom in shallow waters.

“The difficulty we encountered here was working in harsh weather conditions, deep water terrain, with strong gusts and high sea waves, requiring us to make no mistakes because we never had the opportunity to do it again. We almost forgot about any danger to our lives in a great effort to focus on first aid, checking the survival index for the victims. We immediately shook the victim up and asked if they were still conscious, then warmed the body until fully awake”, said Phong.

Last year, rescuer Tran Van Khoi from Da Nang MRCC, who joined the rescue of crew members from Vietship 1 became the first Vietnamese citizen ever to be honoured with the 2021 Award for Exceptional Bravery at Sea by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) for risking his life to save people from rough seas.

The award is not only a source of pride for Khoi but also for Viet Nam’s maritime and rescue forces.
On October 9, 2020, when Khoi saw two crew members being washed off by strong waves into the sea, he tied a rope to his body and swam through five-meter waves and strong currents, rescuing both.

"They would be exhausted in trying the swim to the shore, I had to save them immediately," he said, recalling his thoughts at the moment”.

On October 10, 2020, when two crew members jumped into the water due to falling into panic, Khoi risked his life again, swimming through raging waves to help them board the fishing vessel. Together, they returned to shore safely.

Sharing his thoughts about the award, Tran Van Khoi said he hoped that with this recognition, the brave spirit and unyielding displayed will contribute to the development of Viet Nam’s maritime sector.

Reducing risks at sea

Da Nang MRCC is in charge of the waters off central localities from Quang Binh to Binh Dinh.
Currently, the centre operates 2 rescue ships SAR412, SAR274 performing rescue operations in remote waters and 2 speedboats in use for near-shore rescue.

In reality, the above-mentioned waters are heavily affected by storms and monsoons, while fishermen are busy fishing, especially in the waters off Da Nang, Quang Nam, Quang Ngai, and Binh Dinh.
In fact, accidents at sea are mainly caused by bad weather, damaged ship equipment and diseases.

In particular, fishing activities are mainly at night, contrary to human circadian rhythms, so it is very dangerous for crew members with chronic high blood pressure, appendix and stomach diseases.

To reduce the risk of accidents at sea, every year, Da Nang MRCC cooperates with relevant agencies to organise training courses during which local fishermen are briefed on maritime security and safety, search and rescue, first aid at sea, and the protection of the national sovereignty over sea and islands.

In addition, Da Nang MRCC also instructs fishermen on how to report distress so that the information can soon reach the specialised unit.

Fishermen onboard offshore fishing vehicles equipped with navigation devices will be instruct how to read the helpline numbers on the screen for rescue.

Currently, fishermen have many channels to contact with the competent authorities when in trouble such as Coastal Information Station and Border Guard. After receiving information from the victim, Da Nang MRCC sends its ships with experienced rescuers and doctors.

Reporting by DOAN GIA HUY – Translating by A.THU