BRP Melchora Aquino
| History | |
|---|---|
 Philippines | |
| Name | BRP Melchora Aquino |
| Namesake | Melchora Aquino de Ramos |
| Ordered | 7 February 2020[1] |
| Builder | Mitsubishi Shipbuilding Co., Ltd [2] |
| Cost | 14.55 billion yen for two units[3] |
| Launched | November 18, 2021[4] |
| Identification | Hull number: 9702[5] |
| General characteristics | |
| Length | 96.6 m (317 ft)[6] |
| Beam | 11.5 m (38 ft)[7] |
| Draft | 4.3 m (14 ft)[5] |
| Propulsion | 2 × diesel engines, with total output of 13,200 kW (17,700 shp)[7] |
| Speed | 24 knots (44 km/h) maximum sustained[2] |
| Range | 4,000 nautical miles (7,400 km) at 12 knots[2] |
| Endurance | more than 15 days |
| Boats & landing craft carried | 2 × RHIB |
| Complement | Maximum: 67 officers and sailors |
| Armament | To be determined |
| Aircraft carried | 1 × Airbus H145 helicopter[8] |
| Aviation facilities | Hangar and flight deck for 1 × Airbus H145 helicopter[8] |
The soon-to-be BRP Melchora Aquino (9702) is a 97-meter Multi-Role Response Vessel (MRRV) ordered by the Philippine Coast Guard. The vessel will be the second ship of the Teresa Magbanua-class patrol vessels of the Philippine Coast Guard, which are considered the biggest ships in the agency's fleet once commissioned.
To be named after Melchora Aquino, a Filipino revolutionary during the Spanish colonial period. She was constructed by Mitsubishi Shipbuilding Co., Ltd based on the Kunigami class design, in Shimonoseki, Japan.[1][2]
Construction and design
The Multi-Role Response Vessel (MRRV) as referred to by the Philippine Coast Guard, was constructed by Japanese shipbuilder Mitsubishi Shipbuilding Co., Ltd under the "Maritime Safety Capability Improvement Project Phase 2 project of the Department of Transportation in 2016.[9] The deal was worth 14.55 billion yen for two units from a JICA STEP Loan of 16.455 billion yen[10] and was signed on February 7, 2020.[1]
According to the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), the MRRV has a length of 96.6 meters, a maximum speed of not less than 24 knots, and has a complement of 67 officers and crew members. She has a two 6600 kW diesel engines.[1]
The MRRV has a helideck and a hangar that can accommodate the H145T2 helicopter of the PCG. She also has a hyperbaric chamber for those who have diving sickness and a survivor room that can accommodate those who will be rescued.[8]
It was launched on 18 November 2021.[4]
The Melchora Aquino is scheduled to undergo sea trials by early 2022, and sail for Manila by May 2022.[8] It's due to be in service by September 2022.[8]
History
The ship was launched on 18 November 2021, which was held by MHI and PCG representatives physically and virtually.[11]
References
- ^ a b c d https://dotr.gov.ph/2014-09-02-05-02-13/item/1077-lease-of-photocopying-machines-for-the-dotr-central-office.html
- ^ a b c d PCG's First Approximately 97-meter Multi-Role Response Vessel Launches in Japan Shipyard
- ^ "PCG to step up maritime patrol with new vessels from Japan | Philippines | Countries & Regions | JICA".
- ^ a b Dela Cruz, Raymond Carl (18 November 2021). "2 new 97-meter ships to boost West PH Sea patrols: PCG". Philippine News Agency. Retrieved 19 November 2021.
- ^ a b "94-meter Multi-Role Response Vessel Acquisition Project of the Philippine Coast Guard". Philippine Defense Resource. 2020-01-28. Retrieved 2021-07-28.
- ^ https://www.maritime-executive.com/article/philippine-coast-guard-gets-boost-with-two-new-patrol-vessels [bare URL]
- ^ a b "Multi-Role Response Vessel (MRRV)".
- ^ a b c d e https://www.navyrecognition.com/index.php/naval-news/naval-news-archive/2021/november/11020-mitsubishi-launches-teresa-magbanua-class-patrol-vessel-for-philippines.html
- ^ "Mitsubishi Shipbuilding Signs Contract for Two Multi-Role Response Vessels for the Philippines -- Construction and Deliveries to be Completed in 2022 --". Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) Group. March 6, 2020.
- ^ https://web.archive.org/web/20210728063358/https://www.jica.go.jp/english/news/press/2016/161026_01.html
- ^ https://globalnation.inquirer.net/200375/ship-for-ph-coast-guard-launched-in-japan