BRP Ramon Alcaraz arrives in San Diego, California

From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 28): BRP Ramon Alcaraz arrives in San Diego, California

The BRP Ramon Alcaraz (PF-16), the second Hamilton-class cutter in Philippine service, arrived in San Diego, California early Friday morning (American time).

This is the ship's first port call shortly after departing for Charleston, South Carolina last June 10.

"She is now docking as we speak," PN spokesperson Lt. Cmdr. Gregory Fabic said.

"Everything went on schedule as per voyage plan," he added.

Shortly after that, the BRP Ramon Alcaraz will sail for Hawaii and Guam before proceeding to her voyage to the Philippines.

She is expected to be in the country by first week ofAugust and in commission by September.

BRP Ramon Alcaraz successfully concluded her Panama Canal crossing last June 18 (American time).

With this achievement, the BRP Ramon Alcaraz becomes the first Filipino warship to cross the historic waterway under her own power.

"She passed by Panama Canal Tuesday evening," Fabic stated.

The Philippine frigate entered the Panama Canal Zone during the weekend or almost five days after her June 10 departure in Charleston, South Carolina.

The 82-kilometer Panama Canal connects the Atlantic Ocean (via the Caribbean Sea) to the Pacific Ocean.

It cuts across the Isthmus of Panama and is a key conduit for international maritime trade.

Prior her arrival at the Panama Canal Zone, the BRP Ramon Alcaraz made a brief stopover at Mayport, Florida to successfully test fire her 76mm Oto Melara automatic cannon and speed trials and attained the speed of 25 knots without any difficulty.

The ship's top speed is place between 29 to 31 knots.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=539030