Continuously rescuing fishermen in distress in the waters of the Paracel Islands

On April 13, 2024, the fishing vessel QNa 95078 TS was operating in the eastern waters of the Paracel Islands, which is about 315 nautical miles east of Son Tra Cape, Da Nang City. One of the fishermen on board named Nguyen Hong Nho, who was born in 1989 in Thang Binh District, Quang Nam Province, experienced severe pain in his right abdomen and suspected he had appendicitis. The captain of the fishing vessel contacted the Vietnam Maritime Search and Rescue Coordination Centre to request urgent rescue assistance.

Upon receiving the call, the Centre coordinated with Danang Radio to connect the fishing vessel with a doctor who provided medical advice and first aid instructions for the injured fisherman. The Centre also requested that the fishing vessel head towards Da Nang city at the highest possible speed to receive timely support.

Recognizing that the victim's condition was critical and required prompt treatment, VINASARCOM, Ministry of Transport, and VINAMARINE, under the Centre's command, dispatched a specialized search and rescue vessel with the plate number SAR 412 that was stationed in Da Nang to carry out the rescue mission.

At 00:45 on April 14, 2024, SAR 412 reached the fishing vessel QNa 95078 TS. The rescue team of SAR 412 and the medical staff of Danang 115 Centre were deployed on board to provide first aid to the victim, who was still in severe pain and had a weak health condition. SAR 412 promptly altered its course to bring the victim back to shore.

Finally, at 11:42 a.m. on April 14, 2024, SAR 412 successfully brought the victim back to Da Nang City and handed him over to the authorities. The victim was then transferred to a hospital in Da Nang City for further treatment.

It is worth noting that this is the second time in more than a week that SAR 412 has successfully rescued fishermen who had health problems while working at sea. Earlier, on April 8-9, 2024, rescue forces also promptly saved fisherman Do Van Hien on the fishing vessel QNa 91892 TS, who suffered a stroke while working at sea. Both incidents occurred in the eastern waters of the Paracel Islands./.