Quang Ngai Province runs training courses for fishermen

Thousands of fishermen in the central province of Quang Ngai have attended training courses in the last few years--on ways to repair boat engines, preserve fresh seafood while on their boat, and be well-versed in legal procedures related to their work.

Thousands of fishermen in the central province of Quang Ngai have attended training courses in the last few years--on ways to repair boat engines, preserve fresh seafood while on their boat, and be well-versed in legal procedures related to their work.

A fishing fleet in Quang Ngai Province (Photo: SGGP)
A fishing fleet in Quang Ngai Province (Photo: SGGP)

At the beginning of the fishing season this year, several fishermen looked eager and confident before setting out to sea, soon after taking the training course.

Vo Van Luu, a fisherman from Binh Chau Commune in Binh Son District, said that earlier they just caught fish and came back home, and if any breakdown occurred they were unable to repair their engines. Almost all times they had to call a mechanic from shore for repair works or sometimes ask other boats to tow them ashore.

Now after the training course, they can repair their engines and are no longer dependant on shore help in minor breakdowns.

Pham Quang Hung, owner of a fishing boat in Tu Nghia District, said that the training courses have provided him with much useful and important knowledge required to sail out to sea.

For instance, they have been guided on how to save fuel while operating their boats and preserve freshly caught seafood on board. They also learnt about sea and maritime laws.

Hung said that he now can set his mind at rest when operating on the high seas.

Nguyen Van Hai, 38, captain of a fishing boat from Ly Son Island District, said that he has steered his ship for more than 10 years with hundreds of trips out to sea. However, he knew very little about waterway traffic safety laws.

He now feels more confident after participating in the training course. When he meets with strong winds or storms and wants shelter at foreign ports, he must hang out a special kind of flag. When a breakdown occurs, he will display another kind of flag so that other boats can read signal and send required assistance.

According to Phung Dinh Toan, deputy head of the Aquatic Resource Exploitation Department in Quang Ngai Province, they had coordinated with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to open tens of training courses since 2005.

A total of 5,000 fishermen so far have received captain and chief mechanic training course certificates, accounting for more than 80 percent of fishermen operating at sea in the province now.

Cu Thi Thanh Mai, deputy director of the Department of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs in Quang Ngai Province, said that the department has worked with coastal provinces to allocate more funds to train another 500 fishermen. However, the aim is to train all fishermen in the near future.

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