Vietnam asks China for assistance to get fishermen home

Vietnamese has requested China’s cooperation to ensure the safety of nine Vietnamese fishermen who had been previously apprehended.

Under the urgent circumstance of the Megi super typhoon in the East Sea, at a meeting on implementing solutions to deal with storms and floods on October 18, the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Cao Duc Phat, requested that competent Vietnamese agencies demand China’s continuous provision of enough essential food and supplies for the nine member crew of fishing Boat QNg 66478TS.

As DTiNews reported previously, after being released unconditionally by Chinese authorities on October 11, on the way home, the vessel of the nine fishermen ran about 10 miles then no longer was operating correctly. After that, a patrolling boat from China dragged the vessel to Hoang Sa (Paracels) archipelago to avoid the typhoon. The whole crew has yet to return home.

According to the Vietnam National Committee for Search and Rescue, at present, the fishing Boat QNg 66478TS is broken down and has not been repaired. Given the circumstance, the government asked China to coordinate with the ship’s owner to fix it and to create favourable conditions for the nine fishermen so that they can continue their trip to go home when the weather permits.

If the boat is fixed but safety of the whole crew cannot be ensured, the Chinese side has been asked to inform Vietnamese officials with a diplomatic note four days before the boat will set off so that other Vietnamese fishing boats or the naval force can help them get home safely. Vietnam has also offered to take the crew and vessel themselves should China allow.