Mindanaotoday.com | Coast Guard vessel opens gangway to the public in Oro
By: Bobby Lagsa
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The Philippine Coast Guard District Northern Mindanao (CGDNM) on Monday, Sept. 5, 2022, opens the gangway to BRP Cape Engaño (MRRV-4411), the youngest of its Parola Class Multi-Role Response Vessel (MRRV) as part of its raising awareness and efforts to drum up support from the public.
BRP Cape Engaño docked at the Macabalan Port here where Coast Guard Auxiliary and maritime students can visit one of the country’s most advanced Coast Guard vessels.
Capt. Geronimo Tuvilla, CGDNM commander, said that the Coast Guard has 10 Parola Class in its fleet of MRRVs.
“This is the youngest among the 10. She is deployed to support our core functions here in Northern Mindanao,” Tuvilla said.
He added that MRRVs play a crucial role in achieving the Coast Guard’s core functions of maritime safety, maritime search and rescue, maritime law enforcement, maritime safety, and marine environmental protection.
“Besides that, we support the mandate of other government agencies like anti-smuggling operations, illegal fishing support for the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources,” Tuvilla said.
He said that the Coast Guard also works hand-in-hand with government national agencies to vanguard the country’s seas in the enforcement of maritime laws.
Tuvilla also asked for public support for the performance of the Philippine Coast Guard in their duties to the country.
“We asked the public to trust us. We here in Northern Mindanao will always do our part to support you in times of disasters and tragedies,” he said.
“The Coast Guard will do our mandate to support the development to make our country more productive,” Tuvilla added.
BRP Cape Engaño has been all over the Philippines and also visited Indonesia once on an official visit.
BRP Cape Engaño has a standard cruising speed of 25 knots and 1,500 nautical miles.
Its feature includes fire monitors, a night vision camera, a radio direction finder, a work boat, and a bullet-proof navigational bridge.
It is the primary rescue vessel within the PCG district’s area of responsibility (AOR) when the extent of the disaster is beyond the capability of floating assets deployed within the area; provision of assistance in the control of oil pollution and protection of the marine environment; enforcement of all applicable maritime laws within the designated AOR.
It also serves as a platform for rapid response during relief operations in the area; and transportation of personnel and logistical support.
BRP Cape Engaño was constructed by Japan Marine United (JMU) Corporation in Yokohama, Japan. The vessel was named after the Lighthouse Cape Engaño in Palaui Island, Santa Ana, Cagayan Valley. (MT)
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