The specialized search and rescue vessel SAR 631 successfully rescued a fisherman from Quang Ngai in waters more than 200 nautical miles offshore.

On the night of October 27 and in the early hours of October 28, 2025, the specialized search and rescue vessel SAR 631 of the Vietnam Maritime Search and Rescue Coordination Centre (Vietnam MRCC) successfully rescued a fisherman suffering from acute appendicitis while fishing in waters more than 200 nautical miles off the coast of Quy Nhon. Emergency medical treatment was carried out overnight in the medical room of the specialized SAR 631 vessel as it was transporting the patient back to shore, with coordinated participation from doctors of Naval Flotilla 48 of the Border Guard.

On October 27, 2025, Vietnam MRCC (under the Vietnam Maritime and Waterway Administration, Ministry of Construction) received a distress report from fishing vessel QNg 90459 TS stating that there was one fisherman on board named Nguyen Van Cong (born in 1973, residing in Binh Son Commune, Quang Ngai Province), who was suffering from seriously high fever, difficulty breathing, and continuous severe abdominal pain. The fishing vessel requested urgent rescue assistance.

Upon receiving the information, Vietnam MRCC determined that the patient’s condition was critical, the fishing vessel was located more than 200 nautical miles from the nearest shoreline, and weather conditions in the area included northeasterly winds at force 5–6 with rough seas. Vietnam MRCC established communications between fishing vessel QNg 90459 TS and the Da Nang 115 Emergency Medical Center.

Following a remote examination via radio, doctors diagnosed the patient as highly likely suffering from acute appendicitis and in need of prompt evacuation to shore for urgent treatment.

Based on the medical diagnosis, Vietnam MRCC instructed vessel QNg 90459 TS to proceed at maximum speed toward the coast of Quy Nhon. Simultaneously, with approval and direction from the National Civil Defense Steering Committee and the Vietnam Maritime and Waterway Administration, Vietnam MRCC deployed the specialized search and rescue vessel SAR 631 from Quy Nhon, accompanied by a military medic from Border Guard Flotilla 48.

At 7:48 p.m. on October 27, 2025, SAR 631 reached the distressed vessel and transferred the injured fisherman to the search and rescue ship for emergency treatment in its specialized medical facility. After timely first aid was provided, SAR 631 returned to shore overnight, transporting the patient to a hospital for further treatment in Quy Nhon, Gia Lai. At present, fisherman Nguyen Van Cong is in stable condition, and his life is no longer in danger.

Earlier, in the early morning of November 27, in waters off Da Nang, Vietnam MRCC took the lead, in coordination with the Da Nang Maritime Administration, the Thua Thien Hue Maritime Administration, and local authorities, in successfully rescuing all eight crew members of the Thai Ha 8888 cargo vessel carrying 5,900 tons of cement. The vessel suffered water ingress, listed 150 to port, and sank in waters off Da Nang. The crew abandoned ship and boarded two life rafts, and were rescued at the scene during the night and safely brought ashore promptly.

 

 

The distressed position of the fishing vessel QNg 90459 TS

 

The specialized search and rescue SAR 631 departs the port for rescue operations

 

SAR 631 approached the distressed vessel

 

The fisherman  was transferred to SAR 631 for medical treatment

 

Doctors from Border Guard Flotilla 48 coordinated with search and rescue forces to provide first aid to the crew member aboard the SAR 631 vessel.

 

The fisherman was taken to a hospital in Quy Nhon for further treatment.