The live exercise, held at Ninh Co Fishing Port, simulated Super Typhoon Trami making landfall with sustained winds of force 15-16 and gusts up to force 17.
Under the scenario, two cargo ships collided while seeking shelter from the storm, leaving one vessel at risk of sinking and four crew members missing at sea. A fishing boat carrying five crew members also lost power and drifted offshore.
After receiving distress calls, border guards, police, Coast Guard Region 1 and Air Division 371 deployed patrol boats, rescue craft and an Mi-171 search-and-rescue helicopter to locate survivors and extinguish a fire aboard one of the damaged vessels.
Border guards launched two patrol boats and three rescue craft, recovering simulated casualties from the sea before transferring them ashore for emergency treatment.
An Mi-171 helicopter from Air Regiment 916 under Air Division 371 later located and hoisted simulated survivors from the sea despite severe weather conditions.
The rescued sailors were taken ashore, where military medics and local healthcare workers provided first aid before transferring them to hospital.
The exercise also included the deployment of a 150-bed field hospital to receive and treat simulated casualties.
Officials said the drill was designed to strengthen coordination among military, police, border guard and medical units in responding to severe storms and maritime emergencies.
