Minister Trần Hồng Minh visits and works with Maritime Search and Rescue Forces in Hải Phòng

On the afternoon of February 26, 2025, Minister Trần Hồng Minh, a member of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam, visited and worked on board SAR 411, which is on standby at the Hải Phòng port (under Vietnam Maritime Search and Rescue Coordination Center). The visit was part of an inspection program covering the maritime zones of Quảng Ninh and Hải Phòng from February 26 to 27, 2025.

The maritime search and rescue force holds a ceremony to welcome Minister Trần Hồng Minh

On behalf of the Vietnam Maritime Search and Rescue Coordination Center, General Director Bùi Văn Minh briefed Minister Trần Hồng Minh on the maritime search and rescue (SAR) operations across Vietnam’s territorial waters, as well as international SAR cooperation efforts. He also reported on the readiness and professionalism of the SAR personnel, along with the challenges they face in extreme weather conditions. In 2024, Vietnam’s maritime SAR forces successfully rescued and assisted 1,095 individuals (including Vietnamese and foreign seafarers). In the first two months of 2025 alone, the Center presides over maritime search and rescue coordination, rescues and assists 125 people, and on February 25, 2025, collaborated with other rescue units, successfully saved crew members of m/v Hải Nam 189 in Cù Lao Chàm island. Additionally, they played a role in international SAR operations well (the timely rescue of 18 crew members from the DOLPHIN 18 cargo ship, which drifted in Malaysian waters under severe weather conditions on January 11, 2025.

General Director of the Center, Bùi Văn Minh, reports to the Minister on the search and rescue operations at sea

Accompanying the Minister were Nguyễn Văn Tùng, Chairman of the Hải Phòng People's Committee; Deputy Minister Nguyễn Xuân Sang; Lê Đỗ Mười, Director of the Vietnam Maritime Administration; and representatives from various government agencies, organizations, and enterprises. During the working session, Minister Trần Hồng Minh highly commended the relentless efforts and dedication of the Center’s personnel and crew members, especially given the limited resources and the harsh working environment at sea. He emphasized the importance of the Vietnam Maritime Search and Rescue Coordination Center as the national focal point for SAR operations, urging the Center to enhance its leadership in international rescue cooperation to protect lives and assets while contributing to the sustainable development of Vietnam’s maritime economy. The Minister also called on relevant agencies and organizations to continue supporting the SAR forces, enabling them to grow, develop, and effectively carry out their missions in the evolving maritime landscape, and contribute to protecting national sovereignty over Vietnam’s maritime territories.

Minister Trần Hồng Minh presented gifts to the specialized search and rescue vessel SAR 411

Minister Trần Hồng Minh’s visit not only reaffirmed the government's commitment to maritime SAR forces but also served as motivation for the Center to further uphold its pivotal role in ensuring national maritime safety and security.