Misplaced concrete poles risk fishing boat accidents in southern Vietnam waterways

The poles have no warning lights and can become completely submerged at high tide, making them difficult to spot, particularly at night or in rough seas, Tuoi Tre (Youth) online newspaper's reporters observed.

The situation has persisted for several months along the West Sea dike near Kenh Moi river mouth, on the boundary between Da Bac and Khanh Hung Communes.

Barely visible poles threaten fishermen's safety and livelihoods

Many of the concrete poles barely protrude above the water's surface.

Hundreds of fishing boats and small motorboats use the waterway to reach the sea every day.

At night, in rough seas or when tides rise, boat operators may be unable to see the poles in time to avoid them, putting passing vessels at risk of collisions.

Le Van Hung, a fisherman from Da Bac Commune who has worked in the area for decades, said he had once narrowly avoided hitting one of the poles.

He said the absence of warning lights made navigating the area at night particularly frightening for local fishermen, who mainly use fishing boats and small motorboats to travel and fish.

In rough seas, a collision could damage a boat or, in a more serious case, cause it to capsize and sink, Hung warned.

Tran Thi Trang, a resident of Khanh Hung Commune, said she felt anxious whenever she accompanied her husband on fishing trips through the area.

A small fishing boat can cost around VND100 million (US$3,900), while a larger one can cost twice as much, representing a family's entire livelihood, she said.

Trang added that some boats had already been damaged in collisions with the poles, warning that an accident could even cost lives, particularly among people who cannot swim.

Misplaced poles to be relocated by mid-December

Explaining the presence of the poles, Nguyen Ngoc Nguyen, deputy head of the Economic Office of Da Bac Commune, said 65 concrete poles had been installed near Kenh Moi river mouth for a green mussel farming project.

However, local authorities found during an inspection that some poles had been installed outside their designated coordinates, encroaching on the waterway used by fishermen, Nguyen said.

In response to residents' complaints, the commune's administration has instructed the office to work directly with the team responsible for managing the poles to agree on corrective measures.

The team is required to promptly relocate all incorrectly positioned poles to their designated coordinates.

The relocation is expected to be completed by mid-December, depending on weather conditions and tidal levels.

Regarding concerns that the barely visible poles could cause accidents, Nguyen said her office is advising the commune's administration to work with relevant parties on a comprehensive solution to ensure the safety of people and vessels using the waterway.