Monday, June 13, 2016

Gazmin: BRP Gregorio Velasquez crew one of the most experienced in Philippine Navy

From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 13): Gazmin: BRP Gregorio Velasquez crew one of the most experienced in Philippine Navy

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 by 11 a.m. last June 8.

The ship arrived in Guam last May 28. It left San Diego, California last April 27 after being formally transferred to the Philippine Navy.

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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