VietNamNet Bridge – The Coast Guard said last year it made more than 500 reconnaissance trips and detected 3,750 foreign fishing vessels violating Vietnam’s waters.
Minister of Defense Phung Quang Thanh and officials of the coast guard force.
Reporting to the Minister of Defense — Phung Quang Thanh, last week Major General Nguyen Quang Dam, director of the Coast Guard said, in 2012, the agency held patrol fleets to the Truong Sa (Spratly) Islands, well coordinated with the Navy to prevent foreign ships from encroaching upon Vietnam’s waters. Since early 2013, the agency has cooperated with the Navy to protect oil and gas exploration, monitoring of fishing activities, etc.
In 2012 and the first three months of 2013, the coast guard force made 520 reconnaissance trips, detected 3,750 foreign fishing vessels violating Vietnam’s waters, arrested 11 foreign pirates, successfully rescued the ship ZAIFIRAH of Malaysia and 300 tons of oil.
Minister Phung Quang Thanh said that in the coming time, the Coast Guard is the main force in law enforcement at sea, protecting the safety of the exploration and exploitation of oil and gas; keeping stable and peaceful environment in the sea, creating solidarity relationship with ASEAN, and being a pioneer in the rescue activities, anti- smuggling and anti-drug crime.
Minister Phung Quang Thanh agreed on the policy of building new ships and providing funds for the coast guard to develop its fleet to ensure defense of maritime sovereignty.
QDND