A patrol boat of the Japanese Coast Guard has arrived in the central Vietnamese city of Da Nang to commence a friendly visit with their Vietnamese counterparts.

The patrol vessel Echigo PLH 08 carrying 54 naval officers and sailors docked at Tien Sa Port in Da Nang on Tuesday afternoon.

Led by Colonel Toyota Chikara, the visiting delegation is scheduled to participate in training exercises, exchange law enforcement experiences and converse with units from the Vietnamese Coast Guard.

Speaking to the press following a welcome ceremony, Col. Chikara said the visit was an opportunity for both sides to exchange knowledge and enhance mutual understanding.

Coast guard units from the two nations have established close cooperation over recent years, the Japanese naval official said, adding that activities during the visit would further boost ties.

The Echigo PLH 08 is 104.5 meters long, 14.6 meters wide, weighs 3,100 metric tons, and is equipped with the latest modern technology and equipment.

Colonel Toyota Chikara, captain of the Echigo PLH 08, speaks to the press at Tien Sa Port in Da Nang. Photo: Tuoi Tre

In related news, the Embassy of the United States in Vietnam confirmed on Tuesday evening that the USS Coronado (LCS-4), an Independence-class littoral combat ship, was undergoing maintenance at Cam Ranh International Port in the south-central province of Khanh Hoa.

The work is within the framework of the U.S. vessel’s technical visit to the Vietnamese seaport between June 11 and 16.

According to Rear Admiral Donald Gabrielson, commander of Logistics Group Western Pacific, the trip to Vietnam is aimed at enhancing the U.S.’s expeditionary maintenance capacity as well as to cement the two countries’ naval relationship.

During the technical visit, military contractors and personnel of the vessel are set to carry out some 450 maintenance operations.

They will be assisted by their Vietnamese counterparts.

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