BRP Melchora Aquino (MRRV-9702)

The BRP Melchora Aquino (MRRV-9702) is the second ship of her class of patrol vessels operated by the Philippine Coast Guard. The service officially classifies her as a multi-role response vessel (MRRV). At almost 97 meters long, she is one of the largest, and most modern vessels of the PCG.

BRP Melchora Aquino docked in Port Area, Manila, Philippines during commissioning.
History
Philippines
NameBRP Melchora Aquino
NamesakeMelchora Aquino de Ramos
OrderedFebruary 7, 2020[1]
BuilderMitsubishi Shipbuilding Co., Ltd [2]
Cost14.55 billion yen for two units[3]
LaunchedNovember 18, 2021
AcquiredMay 22, 2022
CommissionedJune 12, 2022
Identification
General characteristics
Length96.6 m (317 ft)[5]
Beam11.5 m (38 ft)[1]
Draft4.3 m (14 ft)[1]
Propulsion2 × diesel engines, with total output of 13,200 kW (17,700 shp)[6]
Speed24 knots (44 km/h) maximum sustained[2]
Range4,000 nautical miles (7,400 km) at 12 knots[2]
Endurancemore than 15 days
Boats & landing
craft carried		2 × RHIB
ComplementMaximum: 67 officers and sailors
ArmamentTo be determined
Aircraft carried1 × Airbus H145 helicopter[7]
Aviation facilitiesHangar and flight deck for 1 × Airbus H145 helicopter[7]

She was named after Melchora Aquino, a Filipino revolutionary during the Spanish colonial period.[4]

Construction and design

The vessel was constructed by Mitsubishi Shipbuilding Co. Ltd in Shimonoseki, Japan based on the Kunigami-class patrol vessels. The contract was under the "Maritime Safety Capability Improvement Project Phase 2" project of the Department of Transportation in 2016.[8] The deal was worth 14.55 billion yen for two units from a JICA STEP Loan of 16.455 billion yen[9] and was signed on February 7, 2020.[1]

The vessel has a length of 96.6 meters, a maximum speed of not less than 24 knots, and has a complement of 67 officers and crew members. She is powered by two 6600 kW diesel engines.[1] She has a helideck, and a hangar that can accommodate the H145T2 helicopter of the PCG. She also has a hyperbaric chamber for those who have diving sickness and a survivor room that can accommodate those who will be rescued.

The ship was launched on the 18th of November 2021, which was held by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries. Representatives from the Philippine Coast Guard attended the short ceremony virtually.[10]

History
BRP Melchora Aquino (MRRV-9702) Commissioning
President Rodrigo Duterte giving a speech during BRP Melchora Aquino's commissioning

The ship was officially accepted into service less than two weeks after arriving in the Philipines. On Sunday, the 12th of June 2022, the Philippine Coast Guard held the commissioning ceremony at the South Harbor.[4]

References
  1. "94-meter Multi-Role Response Vessel Acquisition Project of the Philippine Coast Guard". Philippine Defense Resource. January 28, 2020. Retrieved May 8, 2022.
  2. PCG's First Approximately 97-meter Multi-Role Response Vessel Launches in Japan Shipyard
  3. "PCG to step up maritime patrol with new vessels from Japan". Japan International Cooperation Agency. February 13, 2020. Retrieved May 8, 2022.
  4. "PCG commissions BRP Melchora Aquino". Inquirer.net. June 13, 2022. Retrieved June 13, 2022.
  5. "Philippine Coast Guard Gets Boost with Two New Patrol Vessels". Archived from the original on 2021-07-29. Retrieved 2021-07-29.
  6. "Multi-Role Response Vessel (MRRV)". Archived from the original on 2022-02-20. Retrieved 2021-07-29.
  7. "Mitsubishi launches Teresa Magbanua-class patrol vessel for Philippines". Navy Recognition. Retrieved 18 November 2021.
  8. "Mitsubishi Shipbuilding Signs Contract for Two Multi-Role Response Vessels for the Philippines -- Construction and Deliveries to be Completed in 2022 --". Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) Group. March 6, 2020.
  9. "Signing of Japanese ODA Loan Agreement with the Republic of the Philippines: Further strengthening the maritime safety capability of the Philippine Coast Guard | Press Releases | News & Features | JICA". www.jica.go.jp. Archived from the original on 28 July 2021. Retrieved 13 January 2022.
  10. "Ship for PH Coast Guard launched in Japan". 18 November 2021. Retrieved 19 November 2021.
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