Japan Coast Guard ship JCGS YASHIMA docks at Da Nang port

With the consent of the Vietnamese Government, on the morning of May 10, the Coast Guard ship JCGS YASHIMA (PLH22) of the Japan Coast Guard arrived at Tien Sa Port (Da Nang), starting a 5-day friendship visit to Vietnam and the Coast Guard Command (May 10-14) to enhance cooperation, understanding and mutual trust between the two countries' maritime law enforcement forces.

Japan Coast Guard ship JCGS YASHIMA (PLH22) docked at Tien Sa port (Da Nang) on ​​the morning of May 10 (Photo: HC)

Colonel Bui Trung Dung, Deputy Chief of Staff of the Vietnam Coast Guard Command, along with representatives of the Da Nang People's Committee, the Military Command, the City Border Guard Command, the Maritime Search and Rescue Coordination Center Region 2, the Embassy of Japan in Vietnam... were present at the solemn welcoming ceremony at Tien Sa wharf.

The JCGS YASHIMA (PLH22) is 130m long, 15.5m wide, has a displacement of over 5,000 tons, and a crew of 59 led by Colonel Akihiro HIRANO. This is also the third visit to Vietnam by a Japanese Coast Guard ship, following two visits by the SHIKISHIMA in Hai Phong in September 2012 and the KOJIMA in Da Nang in late July and early August 2013.

Vietnam Coast Guard leaders welcome officers of JCGS YASHIMA (PLH22).

Immediately after the welcoming ceremony, a press conference was held by Colonel Bui Trung Dung and Colonel Akihiro HIRANO with domestic and foreign reporters. According to Colonel Bui Trung Dung, the Vietnam Coast Guard and the Japan Coast Guard are both active members of the Regional Cooperation Agreement on Combating Piracy and Armed Robbery against Ships in Asia (ReCAAP); the Conference of Heads of Maritime Law Enforcement Agencies of Asian Countries (HACGAM).

Colonel Bui Trung Dung presented flowers to welcome Colonel Akihiro HIRANO and the crew of the JCGS YASHIMA (PLH22) ship to visit Da Nang.

Over the years, the two sides have had close cooperation in enhancing law enforcement capacity at sea. During this visit to Da Nang, the captain and the officers of the JCGS YASHIMA (PLH22) will pay a courtesy visit to the Vietnam Coast Guard Command, the Da Nang City People's Committee, the Maritime Search and Rescue Coordination Center Region 2, and visit Nui Thanh District (Quang Nam) to pay a courtesy visit to the Coast Guard Region 2 Command, and play a friendly volleyball match with Coast Guard Region 2...

The two sides took a commemorative photo with the JCGS YASHIMA (PLH22) ship.

Notably, during this 5-day visit, the JCGS YASHIMA (PLH22) will have professional exchanges and seminars on search and rescue with the Vietnam Coast Guard, the Maritime Search and Rescue Coordination Center Region 2 and relevant forces of Vietnam. When the JCGS YASHIMA (PLH22) leaves Da Nang on the afternoon of May 14, the two sides will also conduct a search and rescue exercise at sea.

Colonel Bui Trung Dung and Colonel Akihiro HIRANO held a press conference after the JCGS YASHIMA (PLH22) docked at Da Nang port.

“The visit of the JCGS YASHIMA (PLH22) to Da Nang this time continues to affirm the good cooperative relationship between the Japan Coast Guard and the Vietnam Coast Guard to ensure security and safety at sea. The visit is also a good opportunity for both sides to share, learn from experiences as well as exchange to enhance cooperation and mutual understanding” - Colonel Akihiro HIRANO emphasized.

According to Infonet