A safe haven in stormy seas
Amid the vast sea, Truong Sa has long served as a safe haven for fishermen operating offshore whenever storms strike. Recently, in the face of Typhoon Kalmaegi’s complex and unpredictable developments, forces stationed in Truong Sa proactively implemented various support measures to assist fishermen working in the Truong Sa archipelago.
More than 300 fishing vessels, with over 3,000 fishermen, were guided into storm shelters in the harbours on islands across the Truong Sa archipelago to avoid Kalmaegi. Here, fishermen were provided with over 20,000 litres of fresh water, essential supplies, and temporary accommodation on the islands during the storm. Naval officers and soldiers also regularly visited, encouraged, and supported the fishermen.
Le Thang Buc, captain of fishing vessel 97569TS said: “Naval officers and soldiers helped us pull the boat in and provided us with fresh water and food while sheltering in the harbour. Thanks to the support of the troops, we safely weathered the storm.”
According to Pham Thanh Liem, Chairman of the Truong Sa Special Zone, with the spirit of accompanying fishermen as they venture out to sea, forces on the islands of Truong Sa have consistently supported fishermen during rough seas or storms by supplying food, fresh water, medical care, and ensuring stable living conditions when storms persist for long periods. Rescue forces and equipment are always ready to deploy in emergencies.
A lifeline for fishermen’s health
Long fishing trips at sea always pose numerous risks to fishermen’s health. In such circumstances, military medical personnel and clinics on the islands of the Truong Sa Special Zone have long been a lifeline for fishermen.
Not long ago, while fishing in the waters of Truong Sa, fisherman Nguyen Van Lai from Quang Ngai Province suddenly experienced fatigue, numbness, right-side weakness, slurred speech, and headaches. At the Truong Sa Island Clinic, doctors diagnosed him with a stroke and right-side paralysis caused by a cerebral infarction. Military doctors treated him with great dedication, helping him gradually recover.
Earlier, during fishing operations near Thuyen Chai Island, fisherman Vinh Van Non from Gia Lai Province suffered serious injuries to his right hand after it was caught in an ice-grinding machine. He was brought to the Truong Sa Island Clinic for emergency care. After initial treatment, island medical staff consulted specialists at Military Hospital 175 for additional treatment.
After a week of thorough care on the island, Non recovered. He said: “The naval officers treated me completely free of charge and provided food, drink, and medicine. My family and I are deeply grateful to the doctors, officers, and soldiers on Truong Sa.”
Lai and Non are among thousands of fishermen who have received medical treatment and healthcare support from military medical teams across the islands in the Truong Sa Special Zone. The clinic system here has been equipped with fully functional rooms and modern medical machinery, including ventilators, portable ventilators, anaesthesia and resuscitation systems, advanced ultrasound equipment, X-ray facilities, and electrocardiography.
In practice, many severe and extremely severe cases, such as polytrauma, chest and abdominal injuries, traumatic brain injuries, maxillofacial trauma, septic shock, and multiple organ failure, have been successfully treated through telemedicine consultations between island doctors and leading specialists at Military Hospital 175.
Practical support for fishermen
Implementing Resolution 36-NQ/TW of the 12th Party Central Committee on the sustainable development strategy for Viet Nam’s maritime economy to 2030, with a vision to 2045, the network of harbours and fisheries service centres in the Truong Sa Special Zone has been comprehensively developed. Four harbours are currently in operation on Song Tu Tay, Da Tay, Sinh Ton and Truong Sa islands. These harbours have become reliable storm shelters for fishermen as they venture offshore to harvest seafood and assert the country’s maritime and island sovereignty.
For example, at the Truong Sa Island Logistics and Technical Service Centre, in recent years the unit has supplied fishermen with fuel, food, provisions, and essential goods at prices similar to the mainland; provided free fresh water; produced and supplied ice; offered free wharf and mooring services; arranged accommodation for fishermen taking shelter from storms; and provided care and free medicine.
Notably, the unit also purchases and transports caught or farmed seafood to the mainland at agreed prices, while fishermen arriving on the islands can benefit from cultural and recreational services provided by the unit. These measures help fishermen reduce costs and increase earnings after each voyage.
During the time fishermen shelter from storms or repair their vessels, naval officers and soldiers also frequently provide them with information on illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing; and guide fishermen to comply with regulations on fishing at sea. This in turn helps strengthen fishermen’s role in safeguarding the nation’s maritime and island sovereignty.
Captain Tran Van Dung of fishing vessel PY 90009TS from Dak Lak Province shared: “In the past, fishing boats operating near the Truong Sa archipelago, if hit by storms or running low on fuel or with mechanical failures, had no choice but to return to shore. Now, we can enter the harbours to shelter, carry out minor repairs, buy fuel at mainland prices, take on free fresh water, and sell our catch. Everyone feels more assured and confident staying at sea.”
With practical and concrete support measures, the harbour system and fisheries service centres in the Truong Sa Special Zone have truly become a common refuge and an anchor point for fishermen. Not only do they play an essential role in safeguarding fishermen’s lives and property, but they also help strengthen their confidence to participate in developing the maritime economy and defending the motherland’s sacred maritime and island sovereignty.
