![BRP Gabriela Silang (Photo: Philippine Department of Transportation)](http://media.assettype.com/bairdmaritime%2Fimport%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F191220-13-PCG.jpg?w=480&auto=format%2Ccompress&fit=max)
French shipbuilder OCEA formally handed over the newbuild offshore patrol vessel (OPV) BRP Gabriela Silang to the Philippine Coast Guard in a ceremony at its facilities in Les Sables-d'Olonne on Thursday, December 19.
The aluminium-hulled vessel was commissioned into service that same day. It will set sail for the Philippines with its coast guard crew of 35 before the end of December and is expected to arrive in Manila on February 10, 2020.
At 84 metres long, Gabriela Silang is the largest vessel ever to be acquired by the Philippine Coast Guard.