'The eye of the sea' in the middle of Truong Sa

Standing tall at the top of the waves

On a special business trip toSpratly Islands, what impressed us was not only the green, peaceful islands, the spirit of solidarity and resilience of the army and people on the island, but also the special constructions built on the island, including the lighthouses standing tall in the middle of the vast ocean. That guiding light helps fishermen confidently go out to sea and affirm the sovereignty of the sea and islands of the nation.

Song Tu Tay lighthouse was the first built on Truong Sa archipelago. Photo: Quang An

When approaching Song Tu Tay island, the ship had to anchor outside for many days due to weather conditions that did not allow access to the island. During those days, we were able to see the island from afar. Amidst the green carpet of phong ba trees, banyan trees, tra trees… Song Tu Tay island lighthouse stood out like a giant pen in the middle of the blue sea and sky.

The lighthouse's pillar is made of ironwood, has a spiral shape, and has been marked by time after 30 years of operation. Photo: QA

When we set foot on the island, we understood a little bit about the work of the lighthouse keepers in the middle of the ocean. Following Mr. Le Trung Kien, an employee atLighthouse stationSong Tu Tay, we had to climb 6 spirals with wooden steps, about 120 steps, to be able to see with our own eyes the "magic eye" in the middle of the ocean. At a height of 38 meters above sea level, we could see the whole cool, peaceful Song Tu Tay island. At such a height, along with a wide range of light, fishermen at the fishing ground could easily see the light in the middle of the vast ocean.

Mr. Vu Quang Cach - Station Chief of Song Tu Tay Lighthouse Station, who has worked at lighthouse stations on the islands for 27 years, said: Song Tu Tay Lighthouse is the "big brother" of the lighthouses on Truong Sa archipelago because it was the first built in 1993. The light tower is 38 meters high, the center of the light is 36 meters, the effective range of light at night is about 21 nautical miles. Although it is the oldest lighthouse in Truong Sa, having experienced many rains, winds, and storms, Song Tu Tay Lighthouse still stands tall, illuminating ships and boats in the area day and night.

Employees have to climb about 120 stairs to reach the light. Photo: QA

To keep the lighthouse bright and help ships pass safely at sea, the keepers must work continuously and devotedly, taking turns to be on duty 24/7 at the station, regardless of rain, sunshine or storms in the vast ocean. “The work of preserving the lighthouse is also very elaborate, due to salt water contamination, the lighthouses often rust, if not maintained continuously, the lights can easily short-circuit and burn. We must always preserve the equipment ourselves, clean the lights to keep them bright, ensuring that ships can see the signal even if they are dozens of nautical miles away. On the last day of 2021, Song Tu Tay Island was hit by a super typhoon, the brothers had to stay up all night to reinforce and protect the light, ensuring that the light is always on in any situation to serve fishermen as well as rescue work,” Mr. Cach emphasized.

Song Tu Tay Lighthouse Station staff regularly maintain the "magic eye" to ensure effective operation. Photo: QA

Song Tu Tay port seen from the lighthouse. Photo: QA

Unlike the lighthouse on Song Tu Tay Island, the lighthouse on Sinh Ton Island has a different size and design, not bearing many traces of time and Truong Sa storms like the Song Tu Tay lighthouse. This lighthouse was built in 2012, is about 25 meters high, has a light range of about 15 nautical miles during the day, and 20 nautical miles at night. Sinh Ton Island lighthouse is located behind a large, cool, blue port with the color of the sea and sky of the homeland. The light tower is square, painted yellow, with an average width of more than 4 meters.

Mr. Tran Van Ngu - Head of Sinh Ton lighthouse station said: Working at the lighthouse station, there are 7 brothers. Every day, the brothers take turns to be on duty, maintain the light so that it always operates 24/7 as well as inform the mainland about the activities of ships in the area, changes in weather at sea so that the center on the mainland can grasp and have timely forecasts and warnings for ships passing through the area.

Every day, in addition to maintaining the lights, the staff take turns checking the electrical system, checking the battery and charging the battery to ensure the lights stay on in all weather conditions. On rainy and windy days without sunshine, solar power cannot be stored, so the generator must be turned on to compensate for the energy for the lights to operate. Like that, day or night, calm or stormy weather, Sinh Ton lighthouse still operates steadily to accompany fishermen at sea.

The lighthouse on Sinh Ton Island was built in 2012. Photo: QA

Currently, in Truong Sa archipelago, there are 9 lighthouse stations built on the islands: Da Lat, Truong Sa Lon, Da Tay, An Bang, Tien Nu, Sinh Ton, Nam Yet, Son Ca, Song Tu Tay. Overcoming many harsh weather conditions, sun, wind, rain and storms, the lighthouses on Truong Sa archipelago still stand tall, affirming the sovereignty of the sea and islands of the nation.

​Faith in the middle of the ocean

For generations, fishermen in Truong Sa fishing grounds have faced numerous difficulties, especially during rough seas or stormy days. In such difficult times, lighthouses act as a guide in the vast ocean. Seeing the lighthouse at sea gives fishermen more confidence to overcome the storms.

Ships can easily enter Sinh Ton Island dock following the location of the lighthouse. Photo: QA

Fisherman Tran Huu, Hoai Nhon Town, Binh Dinh shared: In early December 2022, while fishing in the fishing grounds, a crew member on the boat had an accident, while the fishing location was hundreds of nautical miles away from the mainland, combined with strong winds and big waves at night, returning to the mainland was impossible. At that time, we saw the Sinh Ton lighthouse shining brightly in the night, that was the only ray of hope, the crew members both sent signals and moved the boat towards the lighthouse. Luckily, when we set foot on the island, we were given timely first aid by doctors at the infirmary, so there were no unfortunate consequences.

Thanks to the lighthouse's guidance, fishermen in distress at sea were able to reach the island quickly and receive timely treatment. Photo: QA

Fisherman Ngo Tri Dong, Dien Ngoc commune, Dien Chau district (Nghe An) recalls: In 2019, I was one of the few local fishermen exploiting seafood in the Truong Sa sea area. This is a fishing ground very far from home with much more difficult weather and exploitation conditions. However, when we saw the lighthouses in the middle of the ocean, we had more confidence because that is the location of the islands of the nation, a "home" that always welcomes Vietnamese fishermen when they encounter any difficulties.

Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Xuan Truong - Commander and Chairman of the People's Committee of Song Tu Tay island commune said: Over the years, the lighthouse on the island has effectively supported the activities of ships at sea to ensure safety, contributing to the modernization of maritime traffic and affirming the sovereignty of Vietnam's seas and islands. In addition, it has actively helped to facilitate rescue and relief at sea, quickly and promptly.

Nghe An Newspaper reporter talks with Song Tu Tay Lighthouse Station staff. Photo: QA

For decades, lighthouses have been diligently shining day and night to support and guide ships passing through the area. These lights are not only the “divine eyes” illuminating ships in the dark of the vast ocean, but also affirming the sovereignty of Vietnam’s seas and islands. These lights never go out, because they are lit and nurtured by the endless love for the Fatherland of the lighthouse keepers, the soldiers and people on the outpost islands of the Fatherland./.