BRP Ramon Alcaraz in PHL 1st week August

From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 26): BRP Ramon Alcaraz in PHL 1st week August

BRP Ramon Alcaraz (PF-16), the country's second Hamilton-class cutter in service, is expected to arrive here first week of August as it is sailing smoothly per voyage plan.

On June 30 (American time), she will arrive in San Diego, California, its first port call.

"Everything is on schedule as per voyage plan. Target dates can be meet," Philippine Navy spokesperson Lt. Cmdr. Gregory Fabic said.

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

She is expected to be commissioned 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 test fire her 76mm Oto Melara automatic cannon and speed trials and she attained the speed of 25 knots without any difficulty.

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

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=538120