Khanh Hoa (VNA) – In addition to ensuring maritime safetyin the surrounding territorial waters, lighthouses on islands of Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelago in Truong Sa district of the south central province of Khanh Hoa, have also affirmed Vietnam's sovereignty over seas and islands.

There are currently nine lighthouses on Truong Sa archipelago'sislands, namely Son Ca, Nam Yet, Sinh Ton, DaLat, Da Tay, An Bang, Song Tu Tay, Tien Nu and Truong Sa Lon.

Managed and operated by the East Sea and Islands Maritime Safety Company,the lighthouses are considered as "sovereignty markers" and diligently shine every night to assist and guide ships passingthrough the area.

The lighthouse on SongTu Tay was the first to be built in Truong Sa archipelago in 1993.
According to Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Xuan Truong, ViceCommander and Chief of Staff of Song Tu Tay island, the lighthouse has helped to ensuresafe movements of vessels, asserted Vietnam's sovereignty over seasand islands and made it easier for rescue and search activities at sea.
 
Meanwhile, the lighthouse on Son Ca island was put intooperation in August 2010. Head of the Son Ca lighthouse Tran Van Chien saidthat the lighthouse operates from 5:30pm to 5:30am on the next day.

In any circumstance, the lighthouse is not permitted to stop working as itis not only a guiding point for vessels in the surrounding waters but also the lightof national sovereignty at sea, he said.
The lighthouses use electricity sourced from solar power andautomatically turn on when it is dark, but there are standby power generators to ensure the lighthouses' operations in any circumstance, especially in prolongedstorms or rains. The checking and maintenance of equipment of the lighthouses areconducted regularly.  

The lighthouses are not allowed to stop working –this is an order from the hearts of officials and staff at the lighthouses andnaval soldiers on duty at sea and on islands.

Head of the lighthouse on Sinh Ton island BuiVan Son, who has 20 years of experience and 10 years working in lighthouses inTruong Sa island district, said that despite poor working andliving conditions on the islands, he has managed to complete his missions withlove and responsibility for Vietnam's sovereignty over its sky, seas and islands.

Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Nhu Tuyen, PoliticalCommissar of Son Ca island, said that officials and staff of the Son Calighthouse have actively engaged in drills on island protection, contributingto strengthening the combat readiness of the island.

The lighthouse operators in Truong Sa archipelago have worked hard day and night, devoting their youth to ensure thatthe lighthouses never stop working./.