The Philippine Navy (PN)'s first survey ship, the BRP
Gregorio Velasquez (AGR-702), is expected to be home by the third week of June.
This was disclosed by PN spokesperson Capt. Lued Lincuna in
a message to the PNA Saturday.
"She (BRP Gregorio Velasquez) is expected to be in the Philippines
The ship, after being transferred and commissioned to the
PN, left San Diego , California
last April 26 and arrived in Hawaii
She is expected to leave Hawaii
for Guam anytime soon.
Aside from helping the country's vast maritime domains, the
BRP Gregorio Velasquez (formerly the US
"Aside from its primary mission, AGR-702 would also be
a valuable platform in reviewing our anti-submarine warfare capability,"
he said.
Lincuna did not give specifics on this but the PN is in the
process of developing its ASW capability after signing a contract to acquire
two AW-159 "Wildcat" anti-submarine helicopters with AgustaWestland
last March.
The contract is worth PHP5.360 billion, lower than the
stated PHP5.4 billion.
These helicopters are expected to be deployed among the PN's
large ships which include the two Gregorio Del Pilar-class frigates and
incoming two strategic sealift vessels, of which one is expected to be
delivered this month, and the BRP Gregorio Velasquez.
Lincuna said the acquisition of the latter ship also aims to
address the issues in terms of marine scientific researches/surveys and to
gather marine scientific data beneficial to naval operations.
"Also, said vessel will enhance capacity and build
capability to support the environmental protection efforts and exploration of
the country for economic purpose," he added.
She is the country's first oceanographic research vessel.
The BRP Gregorio Velasquez is being manned by a crew of 50
Filipino officers and enlisted personnel who have undergone familiarization and
orientation training on various systems of the ship since last March.
"Said vessel is one of the two ships pledged by the
President of the United States of America ,
Barack H. Obama to donate to the Philippines
during his visit in APEC Leader’s Summit
He said the research vessel will not only provide the PN
capability for hydrographic survey but platform for inter-agency collaboration
for partners in the academe and thus improve awareness of the Philippine
sub-surface environment.
As per policy, auxiliary research vessels are to be named
after national scientists, hence her namesake, Dr. Gregorio Velasquez, a
pioneer in Philippine physiology.
Velasquez was elected as academician on 1978 and conferred
as National Scientist on 1982.
He was conferred with a Distinguished Science Medal and
Diploma of Honor from the Republic of the Philippines
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=885414
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