Breath of Spring in Truong Sa (Spratly) Archipelago

Ship 571. Photo: VOV

After a long whistle to say goodbye to the mainland, the Truong Sa 571 ship of the 411 squadron, 955 brigade left the Cam Ranh port to send the best wishes to the people on Truong Sa (Spratly) islands on Tet holiday.

The ship brought cheers, waves, and affection from the mainland to the islands of the Fatherland.

At the end of the year, the sea is rough and the wind is strong. Many people felt dizzy and tired. Even the logistics team, who are young, healthy soldiers carefully selected before the trip, is no exception. However, every day, hundreds of rice meals are prepared by the team, ensuring enough nutrition and deliciousness.

Journalist Duc Thu said: "We encountered big waves this time, almost everyone felt tired from seasickness, and did not want to eat or drink. However, witnessing the hardships of the ship's crew, we are more motivated on the journey to Truong Sa."

To ensure delicious meals, the logistics on the ship in rough sea conditions is not simple. Pots in the kitchen must be fastened to wooden stick to prevent slipping. They also need to have their own techniques of handling knives and food to avoid accidents when cooking.

The team preparing food on the ship. Photo: VOV

Tran Nam Giang, the crew manager on the ship, said that the use of food to prepare dishes also needs its own secret: “With my experience in serving on ships to Truong Sa (Spratly), to ensure the best and delicious meals for the group, we will use the food in turn. We use perishable vegetables first, to ensure freshness; then we use the foods that can be preserved longer. Meal quality will be improved. During work, we also divide into shifts to ensure serving people on the ship."

The main task of ship 571 is to send the group to wish people on Truong Sa (Spratly) a happy New Year. Besides essential items, the ship also carries apricot, kumquat trees, glutinous rice, confectionery, bringing the Tet flavor of the mainland to the remote island. On the ship to Truong Sa this time, there were many green trees donated to the islands to overcome the consequences of the recent storm No.9. These special gifts are cherished and preserved by the ship's crew.

Goods are loaded onto the boat before entering the island. Photo: VOV

Major Tran Huu Hao, in charge of logistics for the 146 Brigade, Naval Zone 4, said: “Due to the influence of cold air, weather, and rough seas, the mission directed the forces to pack, and shield the goods, make use of fresh water on the ship to water the plants to prevent damage. When bringing goods from the ship to the boat, from the boat to the island, they have directed the work of packaging, shielding, not letting sea water penetrate the goods, ensuring the quality of the goods to the people on the island.”

The rough sea also made it more difficult to bring the people and goods from the ship to the islands. The Truong Sa 571 can only anchor near the islands. The people and goods are then carried out by small boats. The waves were big, everyone in the group getting off the boat had to wear raincoats. Utensils and goods are covered by specialized plastic bags to avoid sea water. Overcoming the difficulties, the group finally reached the first island points in Truong Sa (Spratly), and handed over the island soldiers the best quality goods.

New Year's goods are brought to Song Tu Tay island. Photo: VOV

Hoang Kim Lam from Da Nam Island said: “For officers and soldiers on the island, when receiving gifts from the mainland, our hearts are warmed. It felt like we were closer to family, to our homeland, during our time on the island.”

The emotion of officers, soldiers and people on the islands in Truong Sa when receiving gifts from the mainland is also the joy of the group and the crew of ship 571 who are "carrying spring" to the island - the sacred place of the Fatherland.

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