Standing firm at the forefront of the waves

(Baonghean)With over 23 years in the military, Captain Nguyen Van Tho, the chief helmsman of the HQ 953 ship under the Command of Naval Region 2, hails from Nghi Xuan commune, Nghi Loc district, and has 20 years of experience patrolling the seas. While countless voyages are immeasurable, Captain Tho is always proud of his contributions to ensuring the safety of vessels and his coordination with other forces in firmly protecting the nation's seas and islands.

During our voyage to the DK1 offshore platforms in the southern sea to visit and extend New Year greetings to the officers and soldiers on the occasion of the Year of the Horse 2014, we received dedicated service from the HQ953 ship's crew. On the very first day on board, I immediately recognized Captain Nguyen Van Tho as a fellow native of Nghe An by his Nghe An accent. Shaking hands firmly, Captain Tho inquired about the situation back home. He asked many questions, but in truth, he followed the news from his hometown daily through radio and newspapers and was always proud to be from Nghe An.

Captain Nguyen Van Tho (on the left) and his teammates transfer goods from the ship HQ953 to the DK1 offshore platforms.

In 1990, after graduating from high school, Nguyen Van Tho enthusiastically enlisted in the army to defend the Fatherland. Back then, joining the army was a great honor. He was ready to go anywhere and do anything the army assigned him. At that time, he didn't fully understand the hardships of the naval forces. Therefore, when he was first assigned to the ship, his first voyages at sea left him thin and frail from the rough seas. According to Tho, due to the harshness of the waves and the arduous tasks, most officers and soldiers on the ships have robust health. During long voyages at sea, sometimes lasting for months, facing storms of level 10 to 12, he and his comrades operated the ships safely, both patrolling and protecting the seas, and rescuing fishermen in distress. “There were times when the ship rocked and swayed due to strong waves and winds, and everything on board, including the crew, was tossed around. But with experience and coordinated, rhythmic combat, we ensured the safety of lives and the vessel. To this day, after more than 20 years of sailing the seas, there are times when I feel worried, but my comrades and I have never made a mistake and have always remained steadfast in our commitment to the sea, successfully completing our assigned tasks…” – Thọ shared. For this Party member from Nghe An, studying and following the moral example of Ho Chi Minh is not a distant ideal, but it is reflected in the daily tasks of a soldier, in the spirit of not being afraid of difficulties or hardships, and remaining steadfast at the forefront of the waves and winds.

When speaking about Captain Nguyen Van Tho, all officers and soldiers of the HQ953 ship express their admiration. The HQ953 is a new generation military vessel, officially put into operation at the beginning of 2010, and its crew consists mostly of young comrades. Therefore, Captain Tho has passed on his 20 years of experience in sailing to his comrades. Evaluating his comrade, Senior Lieutenant Tran Van Phuong – Political Officer of the HQ-953 ship – said: “In terms of military rank, I am Captain Tho’s superior, but in terms of age, military service, and Party membership, I am his younger brother. With 20 years at sea and 17 years of Party membership, he has the most military and Party years on the ship. Not only is he highly experienced at sea, but in his daily life, he is always approachable, sincere, sociable, and supportive of his crew.” Lieutenant Mai Tien Hai, Commander of ship HQ953, shared: “Commander Tho has piloted many ships and completed tens of thousands of safe voyages. Therefore, in 2010, when ship 953 was launched, the unit requested him to be the main helmsman. Over the years, he has provided many positive and effective suggestions to the ship's commanders, ensuring safe voyages. With him on board, we feel truly secure…”

Having a deep connection to the southern coastal region, Mr. Tho and his wife and children settled in Vung Tau City (Ba Ria - Vung Tau province). Due to his busy work schedule, he and his family only occasionally return to visit their hometown, but he always follows the situation in his homeland through the media. Mr. Tho said: “In recent years, Nghe An has undergone many changes. Vinh City, as well as other rural areas, have been built and renovated to be more modern and spacious. The lives of the people have improved significantly. Every time I visit my hometown, I see the changes and development. That makes those of us who are far from home feel proud.” In the many paths of work and labor, millions of people like Mr. Tho, who are far from home, remain steadfast at the forefront of the waves and winds, striving to best fulfill their assigned tasks, contributing to the construction and protection of the nation's seas and skies.

Nguyen Son