The 'gatekeepers' at frontline outpost

The Southern continental shelf not only plays a particularly important role in the marine economic development strategy but is also a maritime area affirming the sacred sovereignty of the Fatherland.

Soldiers stationed at the DK1 platforms stand guard while on duty to safeguard the Fatherland’s waters. Photo: Ngoc Lien

With those sacred values and missions, the soldiers of the Vietnam People's Navy stationed on the DK1 platforms and patrol ships on the Southern continental shelf (under Naval Region 2) are always likened to 'gatekeepers', 'living milestones' at the frontline outpost to preserve and protect the territorial integrity of the Southern waters of the Fatherland.

While on duty, naval soldiers must closely monitor the developments and activities of ships and boats on the Southern continental shelf. Photo: Ngoc Lien

Especially during the spring days when the atmosphere of family reunions fills every home, the soldiers at the frontline outpost have set aside the joy of family reunion to guard the sea and sky day and night, protecting the territorial integrity and national interests at sea.

Even as they celebrate spring and Tet, the officers and soldiers stationed on DK1 platforms always maintain high combat readiness. Photo: B. Nguyen

The entire DK1 area has 9 submerged banks, namely Tu Chinh, Phuc Nguyen, Phuc Tan, Huyen Tran, Que Duong, Vung May, Ba Ke, Bai Dat and Bai Dinh. These banks extend in the Northeast - Southwest direction, and lie entirely within the Southern continental shelf, Vietnam's exclusive economic zone. Currently, the entire area has 15 garrison sites, which are the DK1 platforms, under Naval Region 2.

During Tet, officers and soldiers of DK1 platform hold their guns even more firmly to safeguard maritime sovereignty. Photo: B. Nguyen

The DK1 platform area is considered very complex, often with strong waves and fierce winds. The DK1 area commands the international shipping lane from Northeast Asia to Southeast Asia, blocking the main shipping route through the East Sea. In addition, this area has many discovered oil fields, some of which have been assessed to have large reserves. With such geographical location and resources, the DK1 sea area plays a very important role in national defense and protection as well as in the development of our country's marine economy.

Soldiers of DK1 platforms perform the task of waving signal flags to guide ships and boats to the platform. Photo: B. Nguyen

Officers and soldiers of DK1/20 platform coordinates the operation of cranes to safely transfer people and goods to and from the platform. Photo: Ngoc Lien

The DK1 platform system is the border markers of Vietnam in the open sea, and the officers and soldiers who are on duty day and night clinging to the sea, protecting Vietnam's maritime borders and territories on the platforms are likened to the 'living milestones' of the Fatherland, the 'gatekeepers' at the frontline outpost so that people can live happily and the country can be peaceful, as Colonel Do Hong Duyen, Deputy Political Commissar of Naval Region 2 Command, once affirmed: "The DK1 platforms are not only solid fortresses, sacred milestones at sea, but also symbols of will, patriotism, and the strength of national unity."

To have a safe and efficient voyage, sailors on ships must strictly observe the weather conditions and developments at sea. Photo: Ngoc Lien

Checking and determining the positions of ships operating at sea is an important task regularly performed on voyages. Photo: Ngoc Lien

Electronic map guide ships operating at sea. Photo: Ngoc Lien

The DK1 platforms and on-duty ships well perform concerted tasks during Tet. Photo: B. Nguyen

On-duty ship 953, Naval Region 2, conducts patrol duties at sea during Tet. Photo: Ngoc Lien

By Ngoc Lien, Binh Nguyen – Translated by Mai Nga, Thu Ha