Fresh from a two-month familiarization training, the biggest and newest ship of the Philippine Coast Guard will arrive in the country by February 2020, the PCG said yesterday.
Once the 83-meter offshore patrol vessel arrives, it will be commissioned and named Barko ng Republika ng Pilipinas Gabriela Silang.
The PCG said a change of flag ceremony on the French-made vessel took place Thursday with Philippine Ambassador to France Ma. Theresa Lazaro leading the Philippine contingent in the event.
The change of flag ceremony marked the “first time the OPV will be flying the national flag, and will now be under the official ownership of the Republic of the Philippines.”
Tranportation Secretary Arthur Tugade gave his approval for the provisional acceptance of the OPV through the signing of the certificate in France by the ship’s incoming commanding officer, Commander Alberto Ferre, last month.
The 35 sailing crew of the ship also witnessed the change of flag ceremony. They will embark on a voyage from France to the Philippines on Dec. 30, Rizal Day, and is expected to arrive in Manila on Feb. 10, 2020.
The sailing team started their two-month vessel familiarization training in Les Sables-d’Olonne, France last September. (Betheena Unite)
