Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh visits and wishes a Happy New Year to the Vietnamese maritime search and rescue force

Within the framework of the working trip to inspect the site of key projects in the Southern region on the occasion of the Giap Thin Lunar New Year, on the afternoon of February 13, 2024 (the 4th day of Tet holiday), Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh visited, wished a happy new year and encouraged the officials and crew members of the Vietnam Maritime Search and Rescue Coordination Centre (Vietnam MRCC) who are on duty at Tan Cang - Cai Mep International Port (TCIT), Ba Ria - Vung Tau province.

The Prime Minister's delegation had the attendance of Party Central Committee members: Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha, Minister, Head of the Government Office Tran Van Son, Minister of Transport Nguyen Van Thang, Minister of Construction Nguyen Thanh Nghi, Lieutenant General Le Quoc Hung, Deputy Minister of Public Security, Secretary of the Ba Ria - Vung Tau Provincial Party Committee Pham Viet Thanh; leaders of ministries, branches, central and local agencies.

During 28 years of growth and development, Vietnam MRCC has excellently performed as the leading force, commanding the coordination of search and rescue operations in Vietnam’s waters; as the national focal point of Vietnam responsible for coordinating and participating in search and rescue cooperation activities at sea with countries and international organizations in accordance with Vietnamese law and international treaties to which Vietnam is a member. Simultaneously, the Vietnam MRCC's specialized search and rescue vessels act as on-scene coordinators, directly commanding search and rescue operations with other forces and means at the scene.

In the 5-year period from 2019 to 2023, Vietnam MRCC has monitored 1,542 distress alerts; dispatched SAR vessels 256 times; rescued and supported 4,605 people, including 612 foreigners. In particular, in the sea area of Vietnam's Paracel Islands and Spratly Islands, in 2023 alone, Vietnam MRCC monitored 33 incidents, directly rescuing 42 Vietnamese fishermen and 01 foreign fisherman, thereby ensuring the safety of people's lives at sea, contributing to the work of protecting the sacred sovereignty of the sea and islands of the Fatherland.

Upon listening to the report on the Vietnam MRCC's operations, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh acknowledged, commended and highly appreciated the efforts and achievements that the Centre's officers and crew members have achieved in the past time, despite the limited human resources, facilities and means, they have overcome difficulties and challenges, determined to successfully complete the noble humanitarian mission assigned by the Party and State, promoting the tradition of "Going first to pave the way" of the Transport sector.

The Prime Minister requested that in the coming time, the Centre "keep practicing for health, courage, intelligence, bravery, ensure capacity, and be ready to rescue fishermen in distress at sea". Simultaneously, the head of the Government also assigned the Ministry of Transport to "continue to invest and build better facilities for maritime search and rescue forces" to ensure maritime safety and maritime security, at the same time meeting the requirements for implementing the responsibilities and obligations of coastal states, port states, member states of the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, and the International Convention on Search and Rescue at Sea SAR79 in search and rescue operations at sea.

The visit and New Year greetings of the Prime Minister and the working delegation demonstrate the Government's concern for the maritime sector in general and maritime search and rescue in particular, demonstrating the Government's determination to protect the safety and lives of people, as well as honoring the team of officers who perform search and rescue tasks at sea. The attention, encouragement and support of the Government leaders, the Ministry of Transport, and the Vietnam Maritime Administration are the motivations for the Centre to better perform search and rescue tasks at sea with the motto "Human life is above all", "Rescue victims as if they were your own relatives".

The Vietnam Maritime Search and Rescue Coordination Centre is assigned by the State to take the lead in coordinating search and rescue activities in Vietnam's sea areas, except for seaport waters, prohibited and restricted areas at sea; is the national focal point of Vietnam responsible for coordinating and participating in search and rescue cooperation activities at sea with countries and international organizations in accordance with Vietnamese law and international treaties to which Vietnam is a party and recognizes. Over the years, the coordination of search and rescue at sea has not only helped ensure maritime safety, maritime security, and prevent environmental pollution, but also demonstrated the responsibility of coastal states, port states, and member states of the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS 1982), the International Convention on Search and Rescue (SAR 79), the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS 74), to rescue and assist people in distress at sea, regardless of nationality, religion, conditions, and circumstances. From there, the prestige and international trust in Vietnam's maritime search and rescue system has been established, affirming the role and position of Vietnam's maritime industry in the international arena./.

Vietnam Maritime Search and Rescue Forces perform ceremony and protocol to welcome Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and the Government delegation

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh visited, presented gifts and encouraged officials and crew members of the Vietnam Maritime Search and Rescue Coordination Centre

General Director of Vietnam MRCC Bui Van Minh reported to the Prime Minister on the Centre's operations and achievements

The Prime Minister acknowledged and highly appreciated the efforts of officers and crew members of the Vietnam MRCC