Alcaraz sea trials 'successful'

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Navy's BRP Ramon Alcaraz, the country's latest frigate, completed its sea trials  last October 23 and deemed them "very satisfactory".

Lieutenant commander Gregory Fabic, Navy spokesperson, said that while the testing of the ship's 76mm Oto Melara main gun and secondary weapons will come later, the trials have been successful so far.

"BRP Ramon Alcaraz has successfully concluded its sea trials last Oct. 23 after its dry-docking and repair at the (Keppel Shipyard) in Batangas," he said.

The sea trials to test the ship's engines at different speeds and communication and sensor equipment are in preparation for its commissioning on the third week of November at Subic Bay.

Fabic said that the items were all installed during its dry-dock period which started last August, the month the Hamilton-class cutter arrived at the Philippines after a two-month journey from the United States.

Lately, the Alcaraz has been painted haze gray to match other Navy vessels such as its sister ship BRP Gregorio del Pilar. - Camille Diola