The 30 officers and enlisted personnel manning survey ship
BRP Gregorio Velasquez can now be considered as one of the most experienced
seagoing crews in the Philippine Navy after their successful trans-ocean from
the United States to the Philippines
"With you are the wealth of knowledge and expertise,
the rare skills in navigation and ship handling techniques, for which the
Filipino seafarers are very well known for. Kudos to the ship's complement of
BRP Gregorio Velasquez, you are now genuine seadogs," Defense Secretary
Voltaire Gazmin's speech, read by defense undersecretary Honorio Azcueta,
during the arrival and welcoming ceremonies for the ship at Pier 13, Manila
South Harbor last June 10.
BRP Gregorio Velasquez left Guam by June 2 and arrived in Manila Bay
The ship arrived in Guam
last May 28. It left San Diego , California
Aside from helping map the country's vast maritime domains,
the BRP Gregorio Velasquez will also help develop the PN's anti-submarine
warfare (ASW) capability.
The Navy 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.
The R/V Melville was used in the 1976 movie King Kong,
starring Jessica Lange.
It was used specifically because of its Hypoid propulsion
drive (at that time), which allowed it to move sideways.
This type of drive is used on research vessels for station keeping
in the ocean over drill and coring sites.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=894374
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