A fulcrum in the middle of the ocean

(Baonghean) - The Dien Ngoc Militia Platoon (Dien Chau) was established on June 24, 2012, consisting of 28 people. From 28 "old friends", they have become teammates, doing a good job of protecting sovereignty and developing traditional fishing grounds...

The militia platoon prepared for the trip early in the morning.

Present at Lach Van on a day at the end of the year, when the Dien Ngoc Militia and Self-Defense Platoon was preparing for a 15 to 20-day trip, Platoon Leader Ngo Tri Huyen (born in 1990) said that from September to December of the lunar calendar is the season for harvesting squid and bottom fish, fishing boats only rest on rough sea days, and operate continuously on calm seas. Since its establishment, the Militia and Self-Defense Platoon has operated mainly on two ships with registration numbers NA 96888 TS and NA 96999 TS owned by Mr. Ngo Tri Dong, each with a capacity of 540 CV, the largest pair of "double-pounders" of Dien Chau fishermen.

According to Captain Nguyen Van Hau - Squad Leader of Militia Squad No. 2, this pair of "double-whammy" often fishes in fishing grounds 100 - 200 nautical miles from the coast. Each trip, this pair of "double-whammy" catches about 20 tons of seafood, the average income in the platoon is from 6.3 - 7.5 million VND/person/month. Equipped with I-Com communication devices and support equipment, while catching seafood, the maritime militia also acts as "eyes and ears" in keeping the sea peaceful.

Since 28 maritime militiamen regularly perform duties in traditional fishing grounds, 82 boats with a capacity of over 90 CV in the offshore route (40 km from the shore) and 496 boats with a capacity of 48-65 CV in the inshore route (less than 40 km from the shore) of Dien Chau have been operating stably, fishermen are assured to stick to the sea to fish and boat owners have invested in additional means and machinery to exploit more effectively.

Captain Nguyen Van Hau grasped the situation before the ship left Lach Van estuary.

Squad leader Tran Van Truong is a seasoned sailor. Since becoming a member of the Dien Ngoc sea militia, Truong said that the awareness of helping fishermen has become a natural reflex. Technical problems with boats at sea are a daily occurrence. In April 2014, Mr. Tran Van Hai's fishing boat in Dong Loc hamlet (Dien Ngoc) ran aground 2 nautical miles from Lach Van estuary. The Militia Platoon immediately coordinated with other forces to send vehicles to rescue and tow the boat back, avoiding damage to people and property. In June 2014, Mr. Ha Dan's fishing boat in Dong Quang hamlet (Dien Ngoc) was caught in a net and capsized in the Ha Tinh fishing grounds. The Platoon promptly informed and coordinated the rescue of 4 crew members, organized the salvage and towed the boat back to the repair site. In August 2014, while fishing in a traditional fishing ground, we discovered foreign trawlers illegally fishing. The maritime militia contacted all our fishing boats to stay calm and promptly report to the authorities to ask for instructions on how to take appropriate countermeasures...

The ship's whistle had sounded, the Commander of the Dien Ngoc Coastal Militia Platoon, Ngo Tri Huyen, smiled and waved to us as the ship weighed anchor and headed out to sea. The pair of "twin ships" with registration numbers NA 96888 TS and NA 96999 TS carried their cheerful voices and laughter towards the open sea. We left Lach Van, the sound of the waves resounding and the sounds of the new spirit towards the open sea seemed to be getting more and more bustling...

Duc Duong