A patrol and inspection team checks the documents of a fishing vessel operating at sea. (Photo: Van Thuong/Nhan Dan Newspaper)

At around 2:05 p.m. on September 3, Coast Guard Ship 4038 was carrying out patrol and inspection duties in the southwestern waters. Through its radar system, the watch team detected a fishing vessel operating in the area. The captain promptly ordered the ship to maneuver toward the vessel, where the crew conducted an inspection and provided legal guidance to the fishermen.

In the cabin of fishing vessel KG-94936-TS, the patrol and inspection team spoke with the captain and checked documents including the fishing vessel registration certificate, fishing license, fishing logbook, captain’s and chief engineer’s certificates, crew list, and the installation of safety equipment. These included navigation, life-saving and firefighting equipment, communication and signaling systems, the vessel monitoring system, and compliance with fishing regulations.

During the inspection, the patrol team directly explained and provided guidance on issues that the fishermen did not fully understand. The patrol team reiterated regulations on maintaining vessel monitoring systems, complying with designated fishing grounds, and prohibiting entry into foreign waters so the captain and crew could understand and comply.

Alongside IUU fishing prevention campaigns, officers and personnel aboard Coast Guard Ship 4038 also actively incorporated drug prevention and awareness activities for fishermen. (Photo: Van Thuong/People's Newspaper)

Nguyen Hoang Tam, captain of fishing vessel KG-94936-TS, said that the Coast Guard officers’ thorough inspections and reminders helped the crew better understand the regulations governing activities at sea. Complying with the law not only allows them to work with greater peace of mind but also helps them avoid violations. For anything they were unclear about, the officers provided specific instructions to help them comply more effectively.

According to Coast Guard Region 2 Command, Coast Guard Ship 4038 is carrying out its mission during the peak month for combating IUU fishing, which runs from August 15 to September 15. During the first 16 days of the mission, the ship conducted 16 patrol and inspection trips covering nearly 165 nautical miles. It inspected 18 fishing vessels with 150 crew members while providing legal education, distributed 150 information materials and leaflets, and presented 20 national flags to fishermen. No violations were detected during the inspections.

Alongside efforts to combat IUU fishing, officers and personnel aboard Coast Guard Ship 4038 have actively incorporated drug prevention and awareness campaigns for fishermen. The content is presented in a concise and easy-to-understand manner, focusing on the harmful effects of drugs, the responsibility to comply with the law, and the importance of remaining vigilant while operating at sea.

Coast Guard Ship 4038 launches the peak month campaign against IUU fishing. (Photo: Van Thuong/Nhan Dan Newspaper)

For the officers and personnel aboard Coast Guard Ship 4038, carrying out the peak month campaign against IUU fishing is a practical and meaningful task contributing to the country’s overall efforts to address shortcomings, strictly enforce fishing regulations, and work toward having the European Commission’s “yellow card” warning on IUU fishing lifted.

When compliance with the law becomes a habit for every vessel owner, captain and crew member, it will provide an important foundation for building a responsible fishing industry and contributing to the goal of having the IUU “yellow card” lifted at the earliest possible opportunity.

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