Many fishing vessels have been equipped with two vessel monitoring system (VMS) devices

The Quang Ngai provincial border guard has reported that, in recent times, many fishing vessels have lost vessel monitoring system (VMS) signals while operating legally at sea. As a result, boat owners have had to abort their fishing trips and return to shore to provide explanations, causing economic losses.

In response to this situation, relevant authorities have provided fishermen with guidance on how to handle such incidents. At the same time, they have advised vessel owners to proactively inspect their equipment and install backup monitoring devices to avoid violations of regulations on combating illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing.

Lieutenant Le Cong Nhan, Head of the An Vinh Border Control Station, said: “When the vessel monitoring device malfunctions, we instruct fishermen to take a photo of the vessel’s location using a camera or phone to keep as evidence. Later, when the vessel docks, the station will review the voyage data to verify the cause.”

According to Major Lo Ngoc Truc, Deputy Head of the Binh Thanh Border Guard Station, frequent signal loss of the monitoring devices due to technical faults from the service provider has caused many complications.

“If the device cannot be fixed within 10 days, the vessel is required to return to shore. This greatly affects fuel costs and the fishermen’s fishing plans,” Major Lo Ngoc Truc shared.

In response to the above inconveniences, many fishermen in Quang Ngai have proactively installed two vessel monitoring devices at the same time. Although this solution incurs additional costs, it gives them peace of mind while working at sea and helps avoid misunderstandings about violating foreign waters.

Captain Nguyen Ngoc Hung (vessel QNg-94098 TS) said that using two devices from different service providers simultaneously helps ensure uninterrupted signal transmission.

“Sometimes one device loses signal, but the other still works. The subscription and equipment costs go up significantly, but without them, we’re forced to stop the boat and can’t sell our fish,” Mr. Hung said.

Fisherman Ngo Thanh Phong (from Binh Chau commune) faced a similar situation. His old device, installed more than five years ago, frequently lost connection. To avoid having to constantly explain each signal loss, he decided to install a new device.

“The device keeps malfunctioning, losing signal, so when we enter the port or the local authority checks, they accuse our vessel of violating regulations. Installing an additional device to be safe costs a few hundred thousand dong more for the subscription, but it gives us peace of mind,” fisherman Phong shared.

Currently, Quang Ngai has over 3,000 fishing vessels that are 15 meters or longer — the group required to be equipped with and maintain vessel monitoring devices. These devices help authorities track the location of fishing boats, warn when there is a risk of crossing permitted maritime boundaries, and support timely rescue if an incident occurs.

Thanks to continuous awareness campaigns, most fishermen have complied well with the regulations. However, device faults from the providers remain a major obstacle. To support fishermen and ensure the effectiveness of anti-IUU (Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated fishing) efforts, device suppliers need to promptly fix technical issues and improve service quality.

In recent times, Quang Ngai province has implemented multiple coordinated measures to strictly follow the European Commission’s (EC) recommendations for lifting the “yellow card” warning on seafood products. The proactive efforts of fishermen to overcome difficulties and invest in additional equipment to comply with maritime laws is a positive sign, clearly demonstrating their responsibility toward sustainable fisheries.