Vietnamese crew to be honored after risking all to rescue 32 stranded fishermen at sea
A fishing boat captain and 14 crew members from Gia Lai Province in Vietnam are set to receive commendations for risking their own vessel and livelihood to save 32 fishermen whose squid-fishing boat sank in the East Vietnam Sea late last month.
Vietnam’s fishing vessel BD-98960 approaches and rescues a group of fishermen after their squid-fishing boat sank near the southern part of Vietnam’s Truong Sa (Spratly) Special Zone. Photo: Nguyen Huu
Nguyen Van Hiep, chairman of the Hoai Nhon Dong Ward administration, on Saturday confirmed plans to commend captain Nguyen Van Huu and the 14 crew members of fishing boat BD-98960.
Hiep said a ceremony to honor and reward the fishermen is expected to be held once the crew returns home next week.
He added that local officials are also working to secure financial support to cover damages the rescuers suffered, including fuel, equipment, and engine repairs.
Dang Duc Toan, chairman of the Hoai Nhon Ward administration, said the locality would also arrange commendations for crew members who reside in the ward.
The BD-98960, owned by Nguyen Thi Mai of Hoai Nhon Ward, was left disabled after its engine failed during the rescue mission.
The vessel has since been towed to Khanh Hoa Province in south-central Vietnam for repairs.
According to the Border Guard Command in Gia Lai, the commendation will be coordinated with local authorities where the crew resides.
On August 26, the administration of Nui Thanh Commune in Da Nang City, central Vietnam received reports that squid-fishing vessel QNa 90859 TS, carrying 50 crew members, had lost contact.
The boat, captained by Huynh Van Tri, last transmitted its location on August 25, about 540 nautical miles from Da Nang and 35 nautical miles west of An Bang Island in Vietnam’s Truong Sa (Spratly) Special Zone.
On August 27, national civil defense forces were mobilized to assist in the search.
Subsequently, BD-98960 and support vessel BD-98848 discovered 32 survivors adrift at sea, exhausted after days without rescue.
BD-98960 alone saved 30 fishermen.
Captain Huu explained that in the rush to save lives, he pushed the vessel’s engine to maximum power for extended periods, leading to mechanical failure.
The rescue cost his crew an estimated VND200 million (US$7,740) in damages.
Huu contacted another fishing boat for assistance, which towed BD-98960 to a port in Khanh Hoa for engine repairs and replenishment of supplies before its next fishing trip.
Minh Duy - Tan Luc / Tuoi Tre News
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