For peace of the sea

Strengthen patrol and control

We visited Dien Thanh Border Guard Station - one of two units that won the title of Emulation and Victory of Nghe An Border Guard in 2018 in the first days of the new year. In an urgent atmosphere, officers and soldiers in the station are focusing on completing the construction of Lach Van Border Control Station.

Lach Van control station is being urgently constructed to serve patrol and control work. Photo: Khanh Ly

Taking us on a direct tour of the project, Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Van Bac - Deputy Political Commissar of Dien Thanh Border Guard Station said: "When the project is put into operation, it will create more favorable conditions for patrolling and controlling ships and boats entering and exiting Lach Van estuary, especially when the water level rises, the number of vehicles entering and exiting continuously. This is also a key project to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Border Guard's tradition (March 3, 1959 - March 3, 2019), 30 years of the People's Border Guard Day (March 3, 1989 - March 3, 2019)". As a unit managing the territory of 8 coastal border communes (Dien Trung, Dien Thinh, Dien Thanh, Dien Ngoc, Dien Bich, Dien Kim, Dien Hai, Dien Hung) in Dien Chau district with 25 km of sea border, more than 700 ships and boats entering and exiting Lach Van estuary.

Border guards perform construction work at Lach Van Control Station. Photo: Khanh Ly

Over the past years, Dien Thanh Border Guard Station has coordinated with local authorities to effectively manage maritime security and inspect vessels entering and leaving river mouths and estuaries. From there, violations have been promptly handled.

Officers and soldiers of Dien Thanh border station coordinate with related forces to patrol and ensure security and order in the area.

Typically, at 2:45 p.m. on September 10, 2018, Lach Van Border Control Station (Dien Thanh Border Station) discovered and recorded administrative violations of 2 fishing vessels using expired fishing licenses. On October 11, 2018, the Station completed the documents and issued a decision to administratively sanction the 2 vessel owners, Mr. Nguyen Van Bay (born in 1964), owner of fishing vessel NA 90862-TS and Tran Van Tham (born in 1976), owner of fishing vessel NA 90400-TS, both residing in Trung Thanh hamlet, Dien Ngoc commune. The total fine amount is 4 million VND to be paid to the State budget. Similarly, on September 19, 2018, Mr. Nguyen Van Thuy (born in 1970), residing in Hai Nam hamlet, Dien Bich commune, owner of fishing boat NA 90709-TS, was fined 3 million VND by Dien Thanh Border Guard Station for using an expired license for fishing activities.

Captain Vi Van Long - Deputy Head of Dien Thanh Border Guard Station said: In the past year, the station has handled more than 40 cases of fishing violations, mainly related to the use of illegal fishing gear, without a license or an expired fishing license. In addition, the station has coordinated with local authorities to strengthen administrative inspection of people entering and leaving the area, promptly handling cases of violations of the maritime border. In 2018, the station has handled 10 cases, 15 cases; including 3 cases, 7 cases of foreigners violating.

In 2018, Dien Thanh Border Guard Station organized 54 patrols with 239 officers and soldiers; 42 patrols at sea with 168 officers and soldiers; coordinated with the police and militia forces of the communes to patrol 28 times, with 140 officers and soldiers participating. Inspected and controlled 12,578 vehicles/43,220 crew members; called and guided 4,097 vehicles, 10,130 workers to safe anchorage and storm shelters; participated in handling 2 cases/3 vehicles stranded at Cua Lach Van; overcame the incident and brought 2 vehicles safely ashore.

Actively fight against crime

To contribute to maintaining security and order on the sea border, the Dien Thanh Border Guard Station has paid special attention to the fight against all types of crimes, especially drug-related crimes. In the past year alone, the station has independently and proactively coordinated with related units to fight and solve 5 cases and 6 subjects related to drugs.

Officers and soldiers of Dien Thanh border post coordinate with militia forces and commune police to patrol at sea. Photo: Khanh Ly

Typically, on December 20, 2018, at Hamlet 4, Dien Thinh Commune, Dien Thanh Border Guard Station arrested two subjects Cao Huu Manh (born in 1985) and Tran Van Tay (born in 1995) residing in the same area for illegal possession of drugs. The seized evidence included 4.0 grams of crystal meth, 1 set of tools, and 2 mobile phones. Then, at 9:30 p.m. on September 25, 2018, at Binh Minh Hotel (Dien Thanh Commune), Dien Thanh Border Guard Station coordinated with the Drug Prevention and Control Task Force No. 2 - Coast Guard Command to end Project MTV 269, arresting Tran Quoc Viet (born in 1986), permanent resident of Chau Tien Commune, Quy Chau District, for illegal drug trafficking. The seized evidence at the scene was 863.965 grams of synthetic drugs in the form of crystal meth...

In addition, through the fight against crime, Dien Thanh Border Guard Station has handled 70 cases/101 subjects with administrative penalties totaling more than 164 million VND.

A subject illegally storing drugs was arrested by Dien Thanh Border Guard Station. Photo: Contributor

The station has also actively advised local authorities to do a good job of grasping the local situation, thereby establishing 106 self-management teams on land with 685 members; 1 self-management team for safe wharfs at Dien Ngoc fishing port with 12 members; 2 boat safety teams/15 members/15 boats.

Strengthening propaganda and dissemination of law

Through “skillful mass mobilization”, actively staying close to the people and the locality, the Dien Thanh Border Guard Station has coordinated with Party committees and authorities at all levels to effectively carry out propaganda, dissemination and education of the law. From there, it has become a “bridge” to bring the Party’s guidelines and policies, the State’s policies and laws to the people. A typical example is the propaganda, education and dissemination of the law to 9th grade students at secondary schools in 8 areas managed by the station.

Propaganda activities, guiding fishermen to comply with the Law of the Sea of ​​Vietnam, regulations on maritime border areas, regulations when working at sea... "To improve the quality of propaganda work, the unit coordinates with schools and local authorities to develop lesson plans, documents, and propaganda through loudspeakers, screens, and distribute leaflets on ships and boats... to help people and students understand their responsibilities and obligations in protecting the sovereignty of the sea and islands of the Fatherland. In addition, the station also coordinates with local kindergartens to organize for students to participate in experiential activities at the unit, thereby contributing to educating them about the traditions of the army, about love for the homeland, country, sea, islands...",

Dien Thanh Border Guard Station cooperates with kindergartens to organize traditional education and experience activities for students. Photo: Contributor

Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Van Bac - Deputy Political Commissar of Dien Thanh Border Guard Station added. As for fishermen working at sea, they have long considered officers and soldiers of Dien Thanh Border Guard Station as close companions, because over the years, whenever they encounter difficulties, incidents at sea or when encountering unfavorable weather, they have always received timely help from the soldiers in green uniforms. Not only that, thanks to the Border Guard regularly disseminating new policies and regulations related to the Law on Sea and Islands, the 2017 Fisheries Law, and the Prime Minister's Directive on strengthening the fight against illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing (IUU fishing), fishermen's awareness of complying with regulations on safe seafood exploitation at sea has been increasingly enhanced.

Boats anchored at Lach Van fishing port. Photo: Khanh Ly

That is why many fishermen such as Pham Vuong Cuong (born in 1964), owner of NA 90642-TS, Pham Van Manh (born in 1976), owner of NA 90055-TS have actively stuck to their boats and the sea, voluntarily joined the safety boat and ship team and became the "eyes and ears" of the Border Guard, providing valuable information about the security situation, especially the activities of foreign ships and boats in Vietnam's waters. Thereby, working side by side with the Border Guard force, they have become "shields" in preserving and protecting the sovereignty of the Fatherland's waters.