Vietnam Maritime and Waterway Administration Commends Captain and Crew of STARSHIP TAURUS for Heroic Rescue of 11 Fishermen

The Vietnam Maritime and Waterway Administration has awarded a Certificate of Commendation to Captain Lee Gyeong Tae and the crew of the M/V STARSHIP TAURUS (Marshall Islands-flagged) for their exemplary actions in rescuing 11 fishermen in distress near Bach Long Vy Island.

On June 19, 2025, the fishing vessel QN 80058 TS sank in the waters off Bach Long Vy Island due to rough seas and strong winds. As a result, 11 fishermen were left drifting in a perilous situation. Upon receiving an emergency alert from the Vietnam Maritime Search and Rescue Coordination Center, which is part of the Vietnam Maritime and Waterway Administration under the Ministry of Construction, Captain Lee Gyeong Tae changed course to provide assistance. The M/V STARSHIP TAURUS successfully located and rescued all 11 fishermen.

Live at the scene of the rescue of 11 fishermen on the fishing boat QN 80058 TS in distress in Hai Phong waters.

To honor their bravery and sense of maritime responsibility, Director General – Mr. Le Do Muoi of the Vietnam Maritime and Waterway Administration presented Certificates of Commendation to both Captain Lee and the whole crew of M/V STARSHIP TAURUS.

The delegation of Vietnam Maritime Administration and Waterways awarded Certificates of Merit to the captain and crew of the STARSHIP TAURUS.

The award ceremony was held aboard the M/V STARSHIP TAURUS, with the participation of Mr. Vu Viet Hung, Deputy Director General of the Vietnam Maritime Search and Rescue Coordination Center; Mr. Le Van Thuan, Deputy Director of Hai Phong Port Authority; and other officials from the Vietnam Maritime and Waterway Administration.

Mr. Vu Viet Hung, Deputy General Director of the Representative Center, presented the Certificate of Merit from the Director of the Vietnam Maritime Administration to the captain of the M/V STARSHIP TAURUS.

At the ceremony, Mr. Vu Viet Hung conveyed Director General Le Do Muoi’s appreciation for the ship’s swift and humanitarian response:

“The rescue of 11 fishermen by the M/V STARSHIP TAURUS demonstrates not only an exceptional level of professionalism and responsibility, but also embodies the spirit of mutual support that unites seafarers around the world. The Vietnamese maritime sector is proud to partner with such dedicated individuals in its ongoing effort to ensure maritime safety. This act is significant as it coincides with global celebrations of the Day of the Seafarer, promoting solidarity, compassion, and mutual trust among those who sail our oceans.”

Speaking on behalf of his crew, Captain Lee Gyeong Tae expressed gratitude for the commendation:

“Assisting distressed seafarers is both a duty and an obligation for all mariners, as stipulated in international maritime conventions such as SOLAS and the SAR Convention. We deeply appreciate the recognition from the Vietnamese authorities — it is a strong motivation for us to remain committed to safety and cooperation at sea.”

Captain of STARSHIP TAURUS speaks on behalf of the crew

The actions of Captain Lee Gyeong Tae and the crew of the M/V STARSHIP TAURUS serve not only to promote the values of responsibility, solidarity, and humanity within the maritime community but also highlight the essential role of the marine search and rescue teams. These teams are critical in ensuring safety and providing support to seafarers, regardless of their nationality or the conditions they face in the sea areas under Vietnam's search and rescue jurisdiction.