'Eye of the Sea' in the Spratly Islands

Standing tall at the forefront of the waves

During a special business trip toSpratly IslandsWhat impressed us most were not only the lush, peaceful islands and the spirit of unity and resilience of the soldiers and civilians on the islands, but also the remarkable structures built on them, including the towering lighthouses standing majestically amidst the vast ocean. These guiding lights help fishermen confidently venture out to sea and affirm the nation's sovereignty over its maritime territories.

The Song Tu Tay lighthouse was the first to be built in the Spratly Islands. Photo: Quang An

As we approached Song Tu Tay Island, the ship had to anchor offshore for several days due to weather conditions preventing us from landing. During those days, we were able to admire the island from afar. Amidst the lush green of the sea almond trees, the Terminalia catappa trees, and other trees, the lighthouse on Song Tu Tay Island stood out like a giant pen against the vast blue sea and sky.

The lighthouse's pillar, made of ironwood and shaped like a spiral, bears the marks of time after 30 years of operation. Photo: QA

Upon arriving on the island, we gained some understanding of the work of the lighthouse keepers out at sea. Following in the footsteps of Mr. Le Trung Kien, an employee at the lighthouse...Lighthouse stationAt Song Tu Tay Island, we had to climb six spiral staircases, approximately 120 steps in total, to finally see the "eye of the sea" (the lighthouse) in the middle of the ocean. At an altitude of 38 meters above sea level, we could see the entire serene and verdant Song Tu Tay Island. From this height, along with its wide beam of light, fishermen in the fishing grounds could easily spot the lighthouse in the vast ocean.

Mr. Vu Quang Cach, the head of the Song Tu Tay Lighthouse Station, who has worked at lighthouses on the islands for 27 years, said: The Song Tu Tay Lighthouse is the "elder brother" of the lighthouses in the Truong Sa archipelago, having been the first to be built in 1993. The tower is 38 meters high, the light source is 36 meters, and its nighttime illumination range is approximately 21 nautical miles. Despite being the oldest lighthouse in Truong Sa, having weathered many storms and typhoons, the Song Tu Tay Lighthouse still stands tall, illuminating the area day and night for ships.

The staff had to climb about 120 steps to reach the light fixture. Photo: QA

To keep the lighthouse shining brightly and ensuring safe navigation for ships at sea, the lighthouse keepers work continuously and diligently, taking turns on duty 24/7 at the station, regardless of rain, sunshine, or stormy weather in the vast ocean. “Maintaining the lights is also very meticulous. Due to the salty seawater, the lighthouses are constantly rusting, and without continuous maintenance, the lights are prone to short circuits and fires. We have to constantly maintain the equipment ourselves, cleaning the lights thoroughly so they shine brightly, ensuring that ships can see the signals even from tens of nautical miles away. On the last day of 2021, Song Tu Tay Island was hit by a super typhoon, and we had to stay up all night to reinforce and protect the light, ensuring it always shines brightly in any circumstances to serve fishermen and rescue operations,” Mr. Cach emphasized.

Staff at the Song Tu Tay Lighthouse Station regularly maintain the "eye" to ensure its effective operation. Photo: QA

The Song Tu Tay harbor as 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, and does not bear as many marks of time and the storms of the Truong Sa (Spratly) Islands as the Song Tu Tay lighthouse. This lighthouse was built in 2012, is approximately 25 meters tall, and has a daytime illumination range of about 15 nautical miles and a nighttime range of 20 nautical miles. The Sinh Ton Island lighthouse is located behind a large, cool harbor, reflecting the blue of the sea and sky of our homeland. The tower is square-shaped, painted yellow, and has an average width of over 4 meters.

Mr. Tran Van Ngu, the head of the Sinh Ton lighthouse station, said: "The station has seven staff members. Every day, we take turns on duty, maintaining the lighthouse so it operates 24/7, as well as reporting to the mainland about the activities of ships in the area and changes in weather at sea so that the center on land can be aware and provide timely forecasts and warnings for ships passing through the area."

Every day, in addition to maintaining the lights, staff take turns checking the electrical system, inspecting the batteries, and recharging them to ensure the lights shine in all weather conditions. On rainy, windy days without sunshine, when solar power cannot be stored, a generator must be started to compensate for the energy needed to keep the lights running. Thus, day or night, in calm weather or stormy conditions, the Sinh Ton lighthouse continues to operate reliably, accompanying fishermen in the sea.

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

Currently, there are nine lighthouses built on the islands of Da Lat, Truong Sa Lon, Da Tay, An Bang, Tien Nu, Sinh Ton, Nam Yet, Son Ca, and Song Tu Tay in the Truong Sa archipelago. Overcoming many harsh weather conditions, including sun, wind, rain, and storms, these lighthouses stand tall and proud, affirming the nation's sovereignty over its maritime territories.

​Faith amidst the vast ocean

For generations, fishermen fishing in the Truong Sa (Spratly) Islands have faced countless difficulties, especially during stormy seasons or periods of heavy rain. In such challenging times, lighthouses serve as guiding lights in the vast ocean, giving fishermen renewed faith to overcome the storms.

Boats can easily enter the harbor of Sinh Ton Island by following the location of the lighthouse. Photo: QA

Fisherman Tran Huu from Hoai Nhon town, Binh Dinh province, shared: "In early December 2022, while fishing in the open sea, one of the crew members suffered a stroke. The fishing location was hundreds of nautical miles from the mainland, and with strong winds and high waves at night, returning to land was impossible. At that moment, we saw the Sinh Ton lighthouse shining brightly in the night – it was our only ray of hope. The crew members simultaneously sent out signals and steered the ship towards the lighthouse. Fortunately, upon reaching the island, the doctors at the infirmary provided timely first aid, preventing any unfortunate consequences."

Thanks to the lighthouse guiding them, fishermen in distress at sea were able to reach the island quickly and receive timely medical treatment. Photo: QA

Fisherman Ngo Tri Dong from Dien Ngoc commune, Dien Chau district (Nghe An province) recalled: "In 2019, I was one of the few local fishermen fishing in the Truong Sa (Spratly) Islands. This fishing ground is very far from home, with much harsher weather and fishing conditions. However, seeing the lighthouses in the middle of the ocean gave us more faith because they marked the locations of our nation's islands, our 'home' that always welcomes Vietnamese fishermen whenever they encounter any difficulties."

Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Xuan Truong, Commander and Chairman of the People's Committee of Song Tu Tay Island Commune, stated: "Over the years, the lighthouse on the island has provided strong support for the operation of ships at sea, ensuring safety, contributing to the modernization of maritime transport, and affirming Vietnam's sovereignty over its seas and islands. Furthermore, it has actively facilitated search and rescue operations at sea, making them more convenient, faster, and more timely."

A reporter from Nghe An Newspaper interviews staff at the Song Tu Tay Lighthouse Station. Photo: QA

For decades, lighthouses in the Truong Sa archipelago have diligently shone their light day and night, guiding ships navigating the area. These lights are not only "divine eyes" illuminating the vast ocean at night, but also affirm Vietnam's sovereignty over its seas and islands. These lights never go out, for they are illuminated and nurtured by the boundless love of the homeland of the lighthouse keepers, the soldiers, and the people on these frontline islands.