PCG: The Philippine Coast Guard rendered an arrival ceremony to welcome the last of the 10 44-meter multi-role response vessels from Japan at Coast Guard Surface Support Force (CGSSF) in Pier 13, South Harbor, Port Area, Manila today.

The CGSSF Commander, Commodore Joseph B Badajos PCG graced the event as the Keynote Speaker. The vessel will be under the helm of Commander Dennis Rem C Labay PCG as its Commanding Officer and Lieutenant Marilyn L Jaal PCG as its Executive Officer.

Said MRRVs was built by the Japan Marine United (JMU) Corporation in Yokohama Shipyard for the Coast Guard and will also be named after one of the primary lighthouses in the country to denote the important role of the lighthouse as an aid to navigation to mariners. MRRV 4411 was the last of the Parola-class patrol vessels named after historic lighthouse, Lighthouse Cape Engaño in Palaui Island, Santa Ana, Cagayan.

The project formally called the Maritime Safety Capability Improvement Project was awarded by the transportation department to the JMU Corporation. It is being implemented as an Official Development Assistance project, via a tied loan extended by the Japan International Cooperation Agency. The loan facility covers Php 7,373,700,000.00 out of the total project of Php 8,807,700,000.00. The balance will be sourced from the Philippine counterpart of Php 1,434,000,000.00. JMU’s winning bid is in the amount of Php 12,790,000,000.00 Japanese Yen, and includes the supply of standard spare parts and tools, crew training, ocean transportation, and marine insurance. The vessels will have a standard cruising speed of 25 knots, and a range of 1,500 nautical miles.

The vessel together with the BRP Bagacay (MRRV 4410) will be officially received by the PCG on the 23rd of August for its commissioning in the PCG National Headquarters in Manila.