The upcoming BRP Teresa Magbanua 9701 (photos : Binmei)
The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG)’s largest vessel acquisition to date, Multi-Role Response Vessel (MRRV)-9701 conducted its official sea trials at the vicinity waters off Japan on 25 to 28 January 2022.
MRRV-9701 will soon be commissioned into the Coast Guard service as Barko Republika ng Pilipinas (BRP) TERESA MAGBANUA upon its arrival in Manila in February 2022.
Sea trials are initiated to measure a vessel's performance and general seaworthiness. The test included gauging the vessel's speed, maneuverability, functionality of equipment, and safety features.
MRRV-9701 is the first of two 97-meter vessel projects financed by the Japanese government under Phase II of the Maritime Safety Capability Improvement Project (MSCIP) between the Republic of the Philippines through the Department of Transportation - Philippines (DOTr) and Japan in October 2016. The project terms called for the application of Japanese technology, recognizing their notable expertise in shipbuilding.
The sea trials were conducted by the shipbuilder, Mitsubishi Shipbuilding Co., Ltd; Vessel Consultant for MSCIP Phase II project, Japan Marine Science Incorporated; Nippon Kaiji Kyokai (NK) Classification Society; various equipment makers; and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) MRRV-9701 officers and crew.
(PCG)