Deputy Prime Minister Pham Binh Minh delivered a New Year greeting to the Vietnam Maritime Search and Rescue Coordination Center. Photo: VNA

At the meeting, Deputy Prime Minister Pham Binh Minh appreciated the achievements of the Vietnam Maritime Search and Rescue Coordination Center (Vietnam MRCC) in coordinating with all forces to quickly rescue people in distress at sea.

In addition to the task of socio-economic development, the Vietnam MRRC and its maritime forces also carry a greater responsibility, which is to protect the country's sovereignty over the sea and islands.

"Vietnam has sovereignty over the sea. Protecting its sovereignty over seas and islands is the common responsibility of all forces from the navy, coast guard, fisheries surveillance, search and rescue," said Deputy Prime Minister Pham Binh Minh.

Therefore, Deputy Prime Minister Pham Binh Minh requested the Ministry of Transport to study and propose in strengthening the rescue capacity.

To build ships with a long range, the Ministry of Transport needs to consider and put it into the mid-term plan 2021-2025. The ministry also needs to study and recommend the competent authorities to consider sources of capital such as concessional loans and support, including proposals for international cooperation with a number of countries supplying used ships," said Deputy Prime Minister Pham Binh Minh.

Photo: VNA

Speaking at the meeting, Minister of Transport Nguyen Van The said that the great contributions of Vietnam MRRC in recent years have shown humanity, supporting vehicles and fishermen, while ensuring national defense and security.

With the great task assigned by the maritime rescue force, Minister Nguyen Van The also expressed concern when preparing for the mid-term term 2021-2025. The Ministry of Transport wishes to invest in two more specialized search and rescue ships. However, it has only managed to balance investment capital for one ship in the next 5 years.

"For the search and rescue ships at sea to be more effective and protect national sovereignty over seas and islands, the Vietnam Maritime Administration needs to continue to report to the Ministry. This is to suggest the Government to consider investing when balancing capital sources, including ODA and PPP (public-private partnership)," said Minister Nguyen Van The.

Bui Van Minh, general director of Vietnam MRRC, said that the center is the force managing search and rescue operations in Vietnamese waters, and coordinating in search and rescue in international waters. From 2016 - 2021, the maritime rescue force handled more than 3,200 cases of distress reports; mobilize specialized means to search and rescue 432 times; rescue and support 5,450 people in distress at sea; including 215 foreigners; rescue and support 446 ships, including 11 foreign ships.

During the above period, the maritime rescue force performed direct rescue of 68 cases in the Hoang Sa (Paracel) and Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelagoes.

"In 2021, the Vietnam Maritime Search and Rescue Coordination Center handled a total of 373 distress reports; rescued and supported 568 people in distress at sea, including 32 foreigners; rescued and supported 37 ships."

Deputy Prime Minister Pham Binh Minh presents gifts to officials and employees of the Vietnam Maritime Search and Rescue Coordination Center, Vietnam Maritime Administration on the New Year. Photo: VNA

During the 9 days of Lunar New Year, the center maintained search and rescue, received 6 distress reports, and promptly coordinated with authorities to process information. There was no damage to people and vehicles," Minh said.

Despite many positive results, according to the leader of Vietnam MRRC, search and rescue operations at sea still face difficulties when in charge of a large search and rescue area.

With 3,260km of coastline, the sea area is more than 1 million square kilometers, currently, there are only 7 rescue vehicles. In which, only one ship has improved water tanks, increasing the operating range from 250 nautical miles to about 400 nautical miles.

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