Vietnam, Japan Conduct Search, Rescue Drills at Sea

Japan’s Settsu patrol ship docks at Tien Sa port, Da Nang city. Photo: danang.gov.vn

The visiting Settsu patrol ship of the Japan Coast Guard held a joint training session with ships of the Vietnam Coast Guard Region 2 Command in the central province of Quang Nam before leaving Da Nang, concluding a six-day friendship visit to the country on February 13, VNA reported Sunday.

It’s the first port call by a JCG vessel in the Southeast Asian country in four years.

The Settsu, with 52 officers and sailors onboard, is captained by Colonel Niwa Satoshi.

Col. Tran Quang Tuan, Commander of the Vietnam Coast Guard Region 2, said it is a good chance for both sides to learn from experience in law enforcement at sea as well as enhance exchanges to raise mutual trust and understanding.

The Vietnam Coast Guard delegation visited the rescue and rescue training area on the Settsu ship (Japan). Source: PANO

During the training session, officers and crew members of the Settsu, and the CSB 4037 and CSB 6001 of the Vietnam Coast Guard Region 2 Command, exchanged experiences and implemented plans on search and rescue and fire prevention, and fighting at sea.

Officers and crew members of visiting Settu patrol ship of the Japan Coast Guard and Vietnam Coast Guard Region 2 Command at the joint traing session. Photo: VNA

The Settsu began a six-day friendship visit to Vietnam on February 13. During the stay, the ship’s crew members paid a courtesy call to leaders of the municipal People’s Committee and engaged in exchange and training activities with soldiers and officers of the High Command of the Vietnam Coast Guard Region 2 and the Vietnam Maritime Search and Rescue Coordination Centre Zone 2 in Da Nang, to enhance coordination between the maritime law enforcement agencies of the two countries.

The Settsu patrol ship is on a month-long international anti-piracy patrol mission in Southeast Asian waters.

In recent years, the two countries’ coast guard forces have conducted joint activities in search and rescue, and crime suppression skills at sea.

The visit of Japan’s Settu patrol ship is expected to further deepen the good cooperation relationship between the Vietnam Coast Guard and the Japan Coast Guard, contributing to promoting security, safety, and freedom of navigation for peace, stability, and development of the two countries as well as the region and the world.

Both sides discuss search and rescue drills. Photo: VNA

Two sides pose for a group photo. Source: PANO

Settsu with capacity of 3,304 tons and 50 crew-members is in service in Tokyo Region Command and tasked to combat maritime piracy and armed robbery. It is 105.4m long, 14.6m wide, and 29m tall. It can reach a maximum speed of 18 nautical miles per hour, according to PANO.

According to a report of the International Relations Department of the Vietnam Coast Guard, in 2006, the Vietnam Coast Guard was assigned by the Prime Minister to be the focal point of the Regional Cooperation Agreement on Combating Piracy and Armed Robbery against Ships in Asia (ReCAAP). The Vietnam Coast Guard and the Japan Coast Guard are both ReCAAP members, so the two sides have established contact channels to exchange relevant information.

From 2013-2019, the Japan Coast Guard sent patrol vessels or training ships to visit, exchange, and participate in joint drills with the Vietnam Coast Guard, and held talks to evaluate the outcomes of cooperation and exchange and agree on cooperation contents in the coming time, helping enhance understanding, improve qualifications, and strengthen the spirit of solidarity and friendship between the two sides.

The visit of SETTSU and Japanese coast guards to Da Nang city and exchange with the Vietnam Coast Guard Region 2 is one of the practical activities to mark the 50th anniversary of Vietnam – Japan diplomatic ties, the 75th founding anniversary of the Japan Coast Guard, and 25th founding anniversary of the Vietnam Coast Guard.