In the hypothetical scenario, the Vietnamese and Indonesian coast guard ships receive an SOS signal from a vessel on fire while on a joint patrol. VNA/VNS Photo

BÀ RỊA - VŨNG TÀU - The coast guard forces of Việt Nam and Indonesia conducted a joint exercise on search and rescue, firefighting and explosion prevention at sea in the waters off the southern province of Bà Rịa-Vũng Tàu on October 11.

Participating in the joint exercise were officers, soldiers, and crew members from vessel CSB 8001 of Việt Nam's Coast Guard Region 3 Command and Indonesia's coast guard ship KN.Pulau Dana-323.

The Việt Nam Coast Guard Region No 3 Command ship 8001 and the Indonesian Coast Guard ship KN. Pulau Dana - 323 exchange experiences on fire prevention and control at a joint exercise held off the waters of Bà Rịa-Vũng Tàu Province on October 11. — VNA/VNS Photo Huỳnh Sơn

The Coast Guard Region No 3 Command ship 8001 bids farewell to the Indonesian Coast Guard ship KN. Pulau Dana - 323 on October 11. — VNA/VNS Photo Huỳnh Sơn

Officers of the Việt Nam Coast Guard Region No 3 Command ship 8001 take part in the joint maritime exercise. — VNA/VNS Photo Huỳnh Sơn

Việt Nam Coast Guard Region No 3 Command officers provide first aid to a victim during the joint maritime exercise. — VNA/VNS Photo Huỳnh Sơn

A high-speed rescue boat belonging to the Indonesian Coast Guard ship KN.Pulau Dana - 323 approaches a victim during the joint maritime exercise. — VNA/VNS Photo Huỳnh Sơn

In the hypothetical scenario, the Vietnamese and Indonesian coast guard ships received an SOS signal from a vessel on fire while on a joint patrol. They quickly identified the coordinates, communicated with each other via a common frequency system, and urgently accelerated to the scene to approach the distressed ship. Then they coordinated in using water cannons to extinguish the fire.

After the fire was successfully extinguished, both ships discovered that a person had fallen into the sea. They quickly deployed high-speed rescue boats to approach the victim, brought him onboard and provided first aid to stabilise his health.

Thanks to the close coordination and high determination of the officers and crew members from both forces, the missions were successfully executed, contributing to the excellent completion of the joint exercise.

Col. Nguyễn Minh Khánh, Deputy Commander and Chief of Staff of the Coast Guard Region 3 Command, said that this was a meaningful activity for the two forces to exchange and learn from each other in handling incidents related to search and rescue, firefighting, and explosion prevention at sea.

He said that it was also an opportunity for the officers and crews of both countries to gain more experience in ensuring maritime security and safety, responding to incidents at sea, and improving their creativity, practical skills and command capabilities when carrying out assigned tasks.

With 54 crew members on board, the Indonesian Coast Guard ship KN. Pulau Dana - 323 docked in Vũng Tàu City on October 8 for a four-day courtesy visit at the start of the exercise.

This is the first visit to Việt Nam by an Indonesian Coast Guard vessel.

The two countries’ coast guards signed an agreement in 2021 for enhancing maritime and safety cooperation.

During their stay, the ship’s officers and crew members, captained by Lieutenant Colonel Umar Dhani, made courtesy calls on the province’s leaders, played a volleyball match with the Coast Guard Region No. 3 Command and visited historical sites and renowned scenic spots. — VNS