PCG open to deployment of soon-to-arrive MRRVs at West Phl Sea

From the Philippine News Agency (Feb 25): PCG open to deployment of soon-to-arrive MRRVs at West Phl Sea

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) is open to the possibility of deploying its soon-to-arrive multirole response vessels (MRRVs) in the West Philippine Sea.

This was disclosed by PCG commander Rear Admiral William Melad in an interview after his visit to the "People Power Experiential Museum" at Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City on Thursday.

The first two 44-meter MRRVs are expected to be delivered this September.

"(The MRRVs can) be deployed anywhere but the (MRRV) project is all about maritime safety improvement, basically its for search-and-rescue and other needs, but if needed to augment (our naval presence) at the West Philippine Sea, it could be deployed there, as it could also be use for security patrols," Melad said in Filipino.

He added that the PCG could do this in line with its law-enforcement functions.

Around 10 MRRVs from Japan are in the pipeline for the PCG. Two are expected for this year, another six in 2017 and the remaining two in 2018.

Keel-laying for the first two MRRVs took place at Yokohama, Japan last February 6.

Keel-laying is the first milestone in vessel construction, which marks the time that steel cutting works are substantially completed and elements are ready for assembly.

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