Naval Region 3 squadron of ships conducting the mission at sea
Fulcrum
Sea was raging. From night till morning, the giant waves kept rocking the ship. The loudspeaker announced that the KN-390 ship was about to anchor 600 meters from Con Co Island.
It was 6 am. Everyone had 1 hour to have breakfast and prepare. Each reporter was provided with special anti-slippery shoes, hats, life jackets and a waterproof bag to store items and belongings such as laptops, cameras...
At 7 o'clock sharp, all members of the working delegation and reporters would leave the KN-390 ship to get on a small boat and land on the island. The cruise at sea had no phone signal; 4G was disabled. So all reporters put their laptops in their backpacks so that after their work, they would write news and articles and send them back "home" right on the island.
Naval Region 3 soldiers together with Da Nang City students visiting and learning the traditions
The small boat from the island approached the KN-390 ship. Strong wrist-sized ropes tossed to the ship were tightly tied for anchorage. Between the two sides of the ship was a gap of more than half an arm's length to avoid collision, causing ship side break. The transfer of Tet gift boxes was done in advance.
The giant waves roughly tossed the small boat. At times, before close to the side of the KN-390 ship, we were pushed away by the waves; I and my colleagues held their breath many times.
But we inwardly admired the soldiers because despite the toss and wobble of waves, they stood firmly: choosing when the waves hit the two ship sides, like a streak of lightning, they continuously shifted gift boxes from one person to another. The soldiers used their bodies to cover and protect Tet gift boxes against wetness and damage; they were soaking wet from waves and sweat.
After the shift of Tet gifts, we prepared to move. Loudspeaker sounds were occasionally blown away by waves. Taking a deep breath when I heard my name being called; I approached the side of the ship where I would get on the small boat.
Having made many business trips, many times encountered difficulties and hardships, waded across streams, slashed my way through forests, clambered up steep slopes to follow the patrolling border guards to the national landmark on the top of the forest; having climbed steep muddy slopes in the rainy and windy season, and together with the soldiers, to carry the necessities to the people of Lao mountain villages along the border, I am likened to a "war correspondent".
A little while ago, together with my colleagues, I "summarized" this person who vomited more than a dozen times, the other a total of 18 times during a stormy night's journey. I also thought I had courage. But when standing on the edge of the constantly-wobbling ship side, I looked down at the sea that was rolling with fierce waves, causing the two ship sides just close to each other to be immediately pushed apart. If it was only a moment to miss footing...
The Fisheries Surveillance Force involved in safeguarding the sovereignty of sea and islands
I unexpectedly shivered with my hands and feet trembling. Right then, it was not just arduousness; I was facing danger. But next to me were the soldiers who used their bodies to protect Tet gifts - the hearts of the mainland for the officers, soldiers and people on the island - against wetness and damage. They were holding hands, creating a firm fulcrum, ensuring the safety for me and everyone.
“Calm down and rest assured. We are always by your side!” - a soldier gave me courage.
Quang Binh Province fishermen’s fishing boat in distress at sea rescued
“We are always here”
Into my mind came the images of Region 3 naval force: in the face of storms and waves, they rescued ships, took fishermen in distress, on the verge of death to return safely. Major Hoang Van Lam, assistant to the Staff Department of the Naval Region 3 Command (formerly the captain of ships 628, 629, 952, Brigade 161, Naval Region 3) never forgets the times when he and his teammates saved boats, saved people safely in the midst of hurricanes and waves.
Brigade 680, Naval Region 3 on missile-firing mission
Ships of Naval Region 3 on a torpedo-firing mission at sea
Fishermen of the fishing boat in distress at sea handed over
Spring arrives on the ships that safeguard the sea
“That time, on a mission to protect our sovereignty in the Paracel Archipelago, at around 11am, we received a distress signal and received the order from our superior to move to the south Paracel Archipelago. There, the fishing boats of fishermen in Binh Dinh and Tien Giang provinces with 9 crew members were trouble and about to sink” - Major Hoang Van Lam distinctly remembered that the weather was then bad with level-5 wave; it took nearly 4 hours for the ship to arrive at the area where the fishing boat was in distress.
Therefore, the soldiers contacted, guided the fishermen in every detail, took the initiative to ensure the maximum safety for fishermen. When the fishermen jumped into the sea, the ship sank completely. The naval force is especially always present at sea, always side by side with fishermen to lend them more spiritual strength.
“The fishermen tied themselves together according to our instructions. However, the huge wave pushed them in every direction. But faith and hope gave strength to all 9 fishermen in an effort to battle against wind and wave. Officers and soldiers were all overjoyed and choked up," Major Hoang Van Lam was overwhelmed with emotion.
After an hour and a half of struggling against wind and wave, the officers and soldiers safely rescued all the fishermen in distress. 9 fishermen were revived. Many, many fishermen in the process of reaching out to sea for production, on the brink of death when encountering storms or sudden illness in the vast sea were promptly rescued by the officers and soldiers of the Naval Region 3 in particular, naval force in general.
The fishermen said thank with tears of emotion for being saved from death, but the soldiers simply said that it was a duty and responsibility. Holding the gun firmly to protect the sovereignty of sea and islands, ensuring peace so that fishermen can rest assured to reach out to sea is an order from the heart of soldiers on sea and islands.
With that sacred responsibility and command, right after a hurricane, the Naval Region 3 force penetrated waves and pulled 9 fishing boats that were collided and damaged while taking shelter in the Paracel Archipelago to Da Nang Port. Or during a level-12 ferocious storm, on a mission to protect sovereignty in the Paracel Archipelago, they saved 17 foreign crew members (Hong Kong ship was sunk at Vietnamese sea while bound for Malaysia).
On-deck break of the Naval Region 3 soldiers
Holding the naval soldier's hand, standing firmly against the wobbly waves, I conquered fear. Thanks to the soldiers as a solid fulcrum ensuring safety, I and my colleagues overcame peril to successfully carry out a special task. The soldiers are also the fulcrum for fishermen to steadily reach out to sea day and night.
The operation at sea went on. Waves, severe seasickness made my writing unfinished. However, with my heart, I recorded precious, emotional experiences about the brave naval soldiers in the face of wind and wave. The Vietnamese people forever bear in mind that the naval officers and soldiers fought bravely and sacrificed their life in Gac Ma Battle in 1988, devoted their blood and flesh to protecting the sovereignty of the sacred sea and islands of the Fatherland.
Story and photos: QUYNH ANH