The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG)’s 83.6-meter Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) BRP Gabriela Silang has resumed its voyage to Philippines. This is after a stop in Malta to provide ready assistance for Filipinos who want to be repatriated from the Middle East.
MaxDefense Philippines said it “received confirmation from several community members that the Philippine Coast Guard’s new offshore patrol vessel, the BRP Gabriela Silang (OPV-8301) has already passed through the Suez Canal and is en route to Colombo, Sri Lanka for a technical stop and goodwill visit.”
“It is expected that the ship would be home in 2 weeks time,” MaxDefense added.
BRP Gabriela Silang officially left France, where it was built, December 30, however, PCG said that it “docked at the Malta Freeport to conduct ferry missions to Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) in the Middle East who may need immediate extrication.”
PCG said that BRP Gabriela Silang is considered as the largest and most advanced aluminum hull OPV in the world to date, the BRP Gabriela Silang is designed to meet the demanding mandate of the PCG which highlights the responsibility to perform maritime search and rescue in service to the nation.
“The OPV can ferry approximately 500 people at one time and is more than capable to perform beyond its contractual specification of 20 knots of speed. It has a range of 8000 nautical miles at 15 knots and an endurance of up to five weeks of operation. It has an excellent sea keeping ability and maneuverability on top of the great comfort it offers for people onboard,” it noted.
(Mintfo)