Philippines largest coast guard ship launched in France

The future BRP Gabriela Silang (8301) offshore patrol vessel during its launching. Photo c/o DOTr.

The Philippine Coast Guard's (PCG) largest ship was launched on 17 July 2019 by French shipbuilder Ocea Maritime Safety and Security in their shipyard in Les Sables d'olonne, France.

The ship, which will be named Gabriela Silang (8301), was based on Ocea's 84-meter OPV-270 design. It is now considered as the largest aluminium offshore patrol vessel in the world, and is also the largest ship Ocea has produced. 

Once in service, the ship would be used for maritime security and safety missions, including patrols of the Philippines vast exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

The offshore patrol vessel will be equipped with a Mission Management System that integrates surveillance, detection and communication capabilities for situational awareness.

It will have a crew of 40 officers and sailors, an endurance of up to 5 weeks and a maximum range of 8,000nautical miles at 12 knots. lt is powered by a diesel-electric propulsion systerm that alows a

maximum speed of 22 knots. It also has a helideck and hangar for a 5-ton class helicopter.

The ship is also equipped with a telescopic davit to launch two 9.2-meter rigid hull inflatable boats (RHIB), and will have spaces for castaways, offenders, wounded, divers, and special forces.

Training of the PCG crew is expected to start on September 2019 and will end in the last week of October 2019 as the ship is expected to sail for its delivery to the Philippines. 

The ship is expected to arrive in the Philippines by the first week of December 2019, and could be commissioned before the end of the year.

[1] Ocea SSM

[2] CNN Philippines