Coast Guard acquires multi-response vessels

Two new multi-role response vessels have been commissioned into the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Wednesday, adding to the six loaned vessels from Japan.

The vessels were acquired by the country through a P7.3billion loan agreement with Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

BRP Cape San Agustin and BRP Cabra, both 44-meter vessels, and some rigid-hulled inflatable boats (RHIBs) will be deployed in Philippine seas for maritime security missions.

Named after a cultural heritage in Mindanao and an old lighthouse in Cabra Island in Lubang, Occidental Mindoro, the Cape San Agustin and Cabra respectively, will be used primarily as rescue vessels.

According to Rear Admiral Elson Hermogino, Coast Guard commandant, the vessels will also be utilized to provide assistance in the control of oil pollution and protection of marine environment.

The new vessels will also be used as platforms for rapid response during relief operations.

The vessels have bulletproof navigation bridges and advanced communications monitoring technology to support the Coast Guard's coastal surveillance capability, JICA Chief Representative Yoshio Wada said.

Under the grant deal with JICA under the Maritime Safety Capability Improvement Project for the PCG, two more 44-meter multi-role response vessels will arrive soon to complete the 10 loaned vessels.

Meanwhile, the Coast Guard reported that 211 out of 263 missions or 80 percent of the missions conducted by the six loaned vessels were related to maritime security, such as regular patrol and surveillance in Mindanao against terrorism. The vessels were also deployed to provide assistance during typhoons, as well as to stranded crew and passengers aboard distressed ships.