Captain Tran Anh Vu (L) of the seismic survey ship Binh Minh 02 prepares for a new trip on East Sea.Photo: Tuoi Tre

Many people in Nha Trang had been waiting since early morning to give a warm welcome to the ship’s crew after a special trip that placed it at the center of the storm of national attention.

While giving me a tour on board the ship, the crew members excitedly told me all they knew about their “floating house at sea,” Binh Minh 2.

Named after the first Binh Minh ship working in the Gulf of Bac Bo (Tonkin Gulf) 30 years ago, this second Binh Minh is, however, heavier, larger and more modern.

Converted from a fishing ship named Pavlovsk, the ship was covered with a thick metal layer, allowing it to travel in all weather conditions at sea.

According to engineer Pham Khoi, the Vietnamese-Canadian geological team leader, who has been working on Binh Minh 2 since its initial survey trips, the geological survey system meets the world standard. All equipment is purchased from prestigious firms like Quest (Britain), Cercel (France) or Seamap (US).

Apart from the 20 sailors working on board, Binh Minh 2 also provides the living and working places for the geological team for 42 days at sea. The sea water filter system, for instance, supplies them with 25 cube meters per day, enough to provide for 40 men aboard.

Be strong!

While Binh Minh 2 was being prepared for her next trip, I saw many Vietnamese youths with important duties on board.

With engineers from the US, Russia, Canada, the UK, Hungary, Philippines and Malaysia, Binh Minh 2 is like “a floating melting pot,” in which more than four fifths of the crew is Vietnamese. They fulfill different responsibilities and positions: sailor, officer, geologist, data analysis or guards.

As the last mission was over and the new mission about to begin, the captainship was handed over to Tran Anh Vu, a captain with 20 years of experience travelling in different seas around the world.

Like captain Alexander Belov, who exudes with enthusiasm in working with Vietnamese, Pham Khoi from Canada shares the same eagerness.

Young Vietnamese engineers, from 25 to 30 years of age and with a bachelor or post-graduate degree, are very quick in mastering new technology, Khoi says.

He rarely encounters any serious mistakes. Furthermore, the foreign language skills of young Vietnamese engineers are very good, having to communicate every day with people from various countries. What most impresses foreign experts about the Vietnamese crew, however, is their bravery.

Khoi recalled the event on 26th May when their ship came under threat from the Chinese naval vessels: “Many people were very angry at the bullying action of the Chinese, but nobody lost self-control. That might explain why those ships didn’t take more hostile actions.”

Engineer Nguyen Duc Toan remembered how everybody woke up and readied themselves for supporting their colleagues. At that moment, the only concern on their mind was the safety of the ship and the equipment. And hours later, the cut cable was fixed.

“Be strong and successful” - the crew members wish the newly arriving crew on their next mission.

Source: tuoitrenews.vn