With the BRP Gregorio Velasquez (AGR-702) now in Philippine
Navy (PN) inventory, the country will now have the capability for hydrographic
and oceanographic survey.
"The ship will provide the PN the capability for
hydrographic and oceanographic survey and will also become a platform for
inter-agency collaboration partners from the academe and thus improve awareness
of our sub-surface environment," Capt. Lued Lincuna, PN spokesperson, told
the Philippines News Agency on Friday.
Lincuna said the ship can also perform search-and-retrieval
operations and support to humanitarian assistance and disaster relief
operations.
BRP Gregorio Velasquez left Guam on June 2 and arrived at Manila Bay
The ship left San Diego , California Guam
on May 28.
The BRP Gregorio Velasquez is commanded by Cmdr. Edwin Nera.
Aside from helping map 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.
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.
The ship 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 be donated to the Philippines
Per policy, auxiliary research vessels are to be named after
national scientists, hence her namesake, Dr. Gregorio Velasquez, a pioneer in
Philippine physiology.
Dr. Velasquez was elected as academician in 1978 and
conferred the honor as National Scientist in 1982.
He was conferred with a Distinguished Science Medal and
Diploma of Honor from the Republic of the Philippines
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