The Philippine Navy’s (PN) first Strategic Sealift Vessel (SSV) was hit by a Liberian-registered tanker in waters off Zamboanga City on 19 September.
At the time, the 7,200t BRP Tarlac, the navy’s largest ever vessel, was acting as a floating command-and-control platform for operations being conducted against the terrorist Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) in the southern Philippines.
Anchored 1,000 yards south of a pier at Naval Station Romulo, the merchant tanker Tasco collided with the SSV. RAdm Jorge Amba, commander of Naval Forces Western Mindanao, said no crew were hurt, but that the naval vessel suffered ‘minor damage in the right forward bulwark and side ramp’.
Damage was considered minor enough to allow BRP Tarlac to continue operations, and it will be repaired in its next scheduled maintenance cycle. Capt Lued Lincuna, the PN spokesperson, noted that the ‘minor dents on her starboard side because of the incident…will not affect her role in said operations’.
The tanker was prevented from sailing onwards to Malaysia while the Philippine Coast Guard conducted an investigation into the at-sea collision.
Tarlac is helping impose a naval blockade against the ASG in Mindanao. Severe fighting on the island of Jolo has resulted in heavy casualties on both sides. Around 7,000 soldiers are currently pursuing an estimated 400 ASG members in Sulu.
Launched by PT PAL in Surabaya, Indonesia on 17 January, the BRP Tarlac landing platform dock (LPD) was commissioned into the PN on 1 June.
Assigned to the navy’s Sealift Amphibious Force, it is one of two LPDs purchased under a PHP3.87 billion (US$92 million) contract approved in October 2013. PT PAL was duly selected to construct the two ships on 18 November 2014.
The second 123m vessel is expected to be delivered to the Philippines in May 2017.
Ships in the class have a complement of 121 officers and enlisted personnel. They are capable of carrying 500 troops, two landing craft and have a flight deck for two helicopters, making the class ideal for amphibious operations or disaster relief missions.
Maximum speed for the SSV is 16kts, and its range is listed as 9,360nm.
The PN actually requires four such LPDs, but funding has permitted the acquisition of only two so far.
https://www.shephardmedia.com/news/mil-log/adas-2016-pride-philippine-navy-dented/
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