Rescued 7 fishermen in distress at the border of the Gulf of Tonkin

On June 16, the Vietnam Maritime Search and Rescue Coordination Center received a report that fishing boat NA 93061 TS, captained by Mr. Thai Ba Tu in Son Hai commune, Quynh Luu district, was in distress at the border of the Gulf of Tonkin. The location of the distressed boat was about 100 nautical miles east of Hon Ngu island and there were 7 crew members on board, one of whom had a high fever and was unconscious.

Approaching the fishing boat in distress. Photo:Huu Luong

Faced with that situation, the Vietnam Maritime Search and Rescue Coordination Center on duty provided medical advice to provide first aid to the crew, instructed the ship on measures to fix the problem, stabilize the ship while waiting for rescue forces to arrive to assist, and asked the captain to regularly stay in contact to update the position and status of the ship.

Giving life jackets and gifts from the Ministry of Transport and Vietnam Maritime Administration to fishermen in distress. Photo:Huu Luong

After 10 hours of searching at sea, at 01:30 on June 19, 2018, the SAR 411 rescue ship approached the fishing boat NA 93061 TS in distress. The rescue force organized a rescue team to approach, board the ship to provide medical care to the sick crew member, reassure the crew on board, and bring the ship and all crew members back to shore.

By 8:00 p.m. on June 19, 2018, the rescue team had brought all 7 crew members and the NA 93061 TS ship safely to Cua Lo port and handed them over to local authorities.