Coast Guard to commission first two 24-meter Fast Patrol Boats

October 15, 2018

The Philippine Coast Guard ( PCG) will  commission into the service the first two of the four fast patrol boats with Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III as the guest of honor and speaker at the PCG headquarters in Manila Tuesday.

The PCG’s newest acquisition, BRP Boracay and BRP Panglao were named after prominent Philippine islands known for its tourism aesthetic and environmental features.

A vessel is being commissioned to grant its identity to belong to a service and to authorize it to perform the mandated missions of the agency, fly the national ensign, jack flag and the commission pennants.

These fast patrol boats were designed and manufactured by the OCEA in Les Sables-d'Olonne, France,  a shipbuilder which offers a range of other fast patrol vessels. The acquisition is under the Philippine Ports and Coast Guard Capability Development Project.

The fast patrol boat has a maximum speed (light load) of up to 30 knots. It is specially designed for hot pursuit and rallying as well as endurance even during rough weather. It can accommodate 27 persons (12 crews and 16 passengers).

"his is an additional asset to the PCG in the conduct of its missions such as general coastal patrol of territorial and economic zone waters, law enforcement operations, surveillance and Coast Guard operations, fishing surveillance operations, anti-smuggling and illegal immigration control, search and rescue operations, control of vessels at sea and special operation, " the Coast Guard said.

BRP Boracay and BRP Panglao will be under the helm of Lieutenant Commander Patrick Babag and Lieutenant Commander Alberto Ferre.

The PCG and Bureau of Customs have drafted a memorandum of agreement where three of the four fast patrol boats will be operated for conducting joint operations in the enforcement of laws on border control, prevention and suppression of smuggling and other customs fraud.

The other two fast patrol boats will be delivered this November. DMS