'Steel shield' at the foot of the wave

Control of territorial waters security

October 5, 2021, Port Border Guard StationCua Lo - Ben Thuycompleted the paperwork to handle 6 cases of Vietnamese people who illegally boarded foreign ships. Previously, when the Working Group of the StationBorder guardsCua Lo - Ben Thuy Port, while on duty at the anchorage area of ​​Vissai International Port, discovered and arrested the vehicle NA 1106 TS, operated by Mr. Nguyen Van Tien (born in 1979), residing in Nghi Thuy Ward (Cua Lo Town), carrying 6 people secretly onto a foreign ship. Of the 6 people, 3 were from Nghe An, the remaining 3 were from Hai Phong and Hai Duong.

Officers of Cua Lo - Ben Thuy Port Border Guard Station carry out procedures to fine citizens who illegally boarded foreign ships. Photo courtesy of HT

Initial investigation shows that the vehicle owner and crew members violated the provisions of the law on declaration procedures when boarding and disembarking foreign vessels. Specifically, as stipulated in Point b, Clause 2, Article 9, Decree No. 96/2020 ND-CP, dated August 24, 2020 of the Government on Vietnamese people and foreigners boarding foreign vessels and boats, foreigners boarding Vietnamese vessels and boats withoutdisembarkation permit; operating a vehicle to approach a foreign ship or boat without a license issued by the port border guard.

In general, in localities where Border Guard Stations are stationed, the Border Guard forces have regularly and proactively coordinated with localities to strictly control security and order, prevent and combat law violations, and maintain peace in the maritime border area. For example, at Quynh Thuan Border Guard Station, in the first 9 months of 2021 alone, the station organized 84 patrols and controls with the participation of 420 officers and soldiers; completed exit and entry registration procedures for 10,762 vehicles with 98,817 workers.

"In addition, Quynh Thuan Border Guard Station also coordinated with Quynh Luu District Police and Commune Police to arrest and handle 6 cases, 7 law violators, seized exhibits for handling including 24 kg of explosives, 75 detonators, 112.8 kg of firecrackers and 0.4 grams of heroin; handled administrative violations: 2 cases/2 organizations and 82 cases/84 subjects, 17 vehicles, and paid 359 million VND to the State Treasury. The unit also coordinated search and rescue at sea, participated in forest fire prevention and fighting with hundreds of officers and soldiers participating" - Major Ho Huu Nghe - Political Commissar of Quynh Thuan Border Guard Station.

Quynh Thuan Border Guard Station patrols and controls the estuaries. Photo: Contributor

Rescue at night

The soldiers in green uniforms at the forefront of the storm, in addition to maintaining border security, are also the force that rushes into the sea to rescue and protect fishing boats. When fishing boats or people are in trouble, they are ready to depart immediately, even at night, in the rain or wind. For example, the incident that happened at around 3 a.m. on October 2, when the ship with license plate NA 96888 TS, owned by Mr. Hoang Minh Hiep, was exploiting seafood at sea, fisherman HPT (born in 1977), residing in Dong Tien block, Nghi Thuy ward (Cua Lo town) unfortunately fell into the sea. In the middle of the night, the ship sent a distress signal to the authorities. Upon receiving the order, officers and soldiers of the Cua Lo - Ben Thuy Port Border Guard Station set off that night. By late morning the next day, the fisherman in trouble was found. Although he was found, the unfortunate outcome of the fisherman also made many people sad.

In addition to the border posts, the maritime border also has a professional rescue unit.crescue, that is Squadron 2. Nghe An's sea area stretches 82.5 km of coastline, including 6 river mouths, estuaries and 2 islands (Mat Island, Song Ngu Island), and has a large volume of fishing boats, service boats and dredgers operating. Therefore, on stormy days, there is a potential risk of insecurity for ships, boats and fishermen when working at sea. Major Le Xuan Huong - Squadron Leader of Squadron 2 said; "Every year, Squadron 2 has directly and successfully rescued dozens of vehicles and hundreds of crew members in distress at sea. Among them, there are many rescues that, although completed a long time ago, still leave a strong impression on the officers and soldiers participating in the rescue."

Officers and soldiers of Squadron 2 rescue a fishing boat in distress at night. Photo: Contributor

For example, at 11:00 p.m. on June 13, 2020, a fishing boat with license plate NA 97175 TS with 15 crew members on board, captained by Mr. Tran Van Chat residing in Quynh Long commune (Quynh Luu), while exploiting seafood 72 nautical miles from the coast, broke the gearbox shaft, and the boat was at risk of sinking. Due to the weather, big waves and strong winds affecting storm No. 1, the captain issued an urgent rescue notice. That same night, Squadron 2 quickly dispatched a ship to the location of the fishing boat in distress to rescue. By 2:00 p.m. the next day, Squadron 2's rescue ship had brought the 15 crew members and the vehicle in distress safely to shore, for medical examination and initial health care. Although everyone was exhausted, the joy of saving people's lives helped the officers and soldiers to be more excited, continuing to stick to the sea and their duties. In 2021 alone, 21 fishermen were brought safely ashore by officers and soldiers of Squadron 2.

Ships of Squadron 2 towed the distressed fishing boat to shore. Photo: Contributor

The leader of the Provincial Border Guard Command said that stationed along the sea routes, the border posts, in addition to participating in maintaining local security, also have an important task in rescue at sea.

With 5 units stationed in areas with maritime borders, the Border Guard force has become a "steel shield" day and night contributing to keeping the maritime border peaceful, protecting people going out to sea, working and producing safely.

In the first 9 months of 2021 alone, the Provincial Border Guard Command mobilized 24 vehicles/630 officers and soldiers to participate in overcoming the consequences of natural disasters and accidents at sea. Of which, 10 vehicles/120 crew members were towed, 9 victims were found at sea. 15 damaged houses were repaired, 136 households were relocated to safe locations, and 4 forest fires were completely controlled and extinguished. In addition, 699 patrols, controls, and border and area protection were organized/4,248 participants; 187 patrols and controls of sea areas were organized/956 participants. 79,539 vehicles/354,525 workers were inspected and controlled at river mouths and estuaries./.