The Philippine Coast Guard commissioned its newest patrol ship in a ceremony in Manila on Sunday, June 12.
BRP Melchora Aquino is the second and final Teresa Magbanua-class multi-role response vessel (MRRV) ordered by the coast guard from Mitsubishi Shipbuilding.
At 97 metres long each, the Teresa Magbanua-class ships are the largest coast guard vessels in Philippine service. Their design and construction were co-funded by the Japanese government via the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
The new MRRVs can reach speeds of up to 24 knots and sail for 4,000 nautical miles in between refuelings.
