The Mitsubishi Shipbuilding Co. Ltd. has completed the OFFICIAL SEA TRIALS of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG)'s second 97-meter multi-role response vessel (MRRV) – to be commissioned as BRP MELCHORA AQUINO (MRRV-9702) – at the vicinity waters off Shimonoseki in Japan from 28 to 31 March 2022.

PCG Deputy Commandant for Operations, CG Vice Admiral Eduardo Fabricante, and Coast Guard Fleet Commander, CG Rear Admiral Charlie Rances joined the PCG Inspection Team during the said initiative.

Also present during the official sea trials were Japan Marine Science Incorporated and Class NK consultants, as well as Mitsubishi Shipbuilding Co. Ltd. engineers.

They performed several tests to ensure that vessel construction complied with the technical specifications and performance requirements before delivery to the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and PCG.

To date, crew members of MRRV-9702 are undergoing vessel training at the Shimonoseki Shipyard before their departure in Japan and arrival at the vicinity waters off Manila Bay next month.