BRP Gabriela Silang, largest in PCG fleet, to arrive in PH February

The biggest and newest ship of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) is expected to arrive in the country by February 2020, the agency said Friday.

Once the 83-meter offshore patrol vessel (OPV) arrives, it will be commissioned into PCG service and named Barko ng Republika ng Pilipinas (BRP) Gabriela Silang.

According to the PCG, a change of flag ceremony on the Frenchmade vessel took place Thursday.

Philippine Ambassador to France Her Excellency Ma. Theresa Lazaro led the Philippine contingent in the ceremony.

The change of flag ceremony marked the “first time the OPV will be flying the national flag, and will now be under the official ownership of the Republic of the Philippines.”

Last month, Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade gave his approval for the Provisional Acceptance of the OPV through the signing of

the certificate in France by the ship’s incoming commanding officer, Commander Alberto Ferre.

The 35 sailing crew of the ship, who will man and operate it, also witnessed the change of flag ceremony. They will accompany BRP Gabriela Silang on its maiden voyage from France to the Philippines on December 30, and is expected to arrive in Manila on Feb. 10, 2020.

It was recalled that the sailing team started their two-month vessel familiarization training in Les Sablesd’Olonne in France in September.

The ship was designed for voyage and operations in rough sea condition. It will be put into service for sustainable presence at sea to increase the Coast Guard patrols in the Philippine Rise and West Philippine Sea since it has a maximum range of 8,000 nautical miles and can patrol up to 22 days long at sea.