MANILA, Philippines — The first ever multi-role response vessel of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) is expected to arrive in the country on August 18.
The Japan Marine United Corporation built BRP Tubbataha at the Yokohama Shipyard in Japan.
The vessel has fire monitors, night vision camera, radio direction finder, work boat and bullet proof navigational bridge, according to a report from The STAR.
On May 12, PCG Commandant Rear Admiral William Melad and Lieutenant Junior Grade Lalaine Manapul attended the launching and naming ceremony of BRP Tubbataha in Japan.
The 44-meter multi-role response vessel was named after "Tubbataha," one of the lighthouses of the country at Tibbataha Marine National Park in Palawan.
READ: ‘Tubbataha’ is PCG’s newest ship | Japanese firm starts assembly of MRRV
BRP Tubbataha will be handed over to the Philippine government on September 1.
Nine more multi-role response vessels will arrive in the country as part of the Maritime Safety Capability Improvement Project with Japan, which aims to strengthen the coastal patrol capabilities of the PCG.
The succeeding vessels will be delivered quarterly starting in December. The last one will arrive in August 2018.
The new vessels will help the PCG in responding more effectively to conduct maritime law enforcement activities within Philippine maritime jurisdiction. — with reports from Evelyn Macairan