BRP Suluan (MRRV-4406) is the fifth ship of the Parola-class patrol vessels of the Philippine Coast Guard.

The BRP Suluan (MRRV-4406) patrolling Manila Bay during the 31st ASEAN Summit.
History
Philippines
NameBRP Suluan
NamesakeSuluan Lighthouse at Suluan Island located in Guiuan, Eastern Samar
Ordered29 May 2015
BuilderJapan Marine United, Yokohama, Japan
CompletedJune 2017
Identification
Statusin active service
General characteristics
Class and typeParola-class patrol vessel
Length44.5 m (146 ft)
Beam7.5 m (25 ft)
Draft4 m (4.0 m)
Propulsion
  • 2 × MTU 12V4000M93L 12-cylinder diesel engines,
  • Total diesel engine output: 3,460 shp (2,580 kW)
SpeedMaximum @ 25 knots (46 km/h), cruising 15 knots (28 km/h)
Range1,500 nautical miles (2,800 km)
Boats & landing
craft carried
1 × RHIB work boat
Complement25 (5 officers, 20 enlisted)
Sensors and
processing systems
Furuno FAR series X & S-band navigation radars

Design and features

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The Philippine Coast Guard clarified that the ship is a law enforcement vessel and is designed to conduct environmental and humanitarian missions, as well as maritime security operations and patrol missions.[1]

The ship was designed with a bulletproof navigation bridge, and is equipped with fire monitors, night vision capability, a work boat, and radio direction finder capability.[2]

The ship will be equipped with communications and radio monitoring equipment from Rohde & Schwarz, specifically the M3SR Series 4400 and Series 4100 software-defined communication radios, and DDF205 radio monitoring equipment. These equipment enhances the ship's reconnaissance, pursuit and communications capabilities.[3]

Construction, delivery and commissioning

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BRP Suluan underwent sea trials since June 2017 until it was delivered. On 7 August 2017, Philippine Coast Guard formally received the ship at a ceremony held on Philippine Coast Guard headquarters in Manila.[4]

She was commissioned into service on November 21, 2017, together with the BRP Capones (MRRV-4404) and BRP Sindangan (MRRV-4407).[5]

Service history

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BRP Suluan during sea phase of SEACAT 2018 Exercise.

BRP Suluan participated in the field training phase of SEACAT 2017 Exercise.[6]

In November 2018, the BRP Suluan participated in a joint anti-piracy drill with the Japan Coast Guard ship Echigo (PLH-08) and PCG ships the BRP Boracay (2401) and BRP Panglao (2402). The drill was held in Manila Bay and featured the mock hijacking of a vessel and arrest of the perpetrators aboard the ship.[7]

References

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  1. ^ Marcelo, Elizabeth (2016-08-18). "Coast guard acquires 44-meter patrol vessel from Japan". GMA News. Retrieved 2016-11-07.
  2. ^ "LOOK: PH Coast Guard gets new rescue ship from Japan". Rappler. 2016-07-28. Retrieved 2016-11-07.
  3. ^ Scott, Richard (2016-11-04). "SDRs for Philippine Coast Guard [INDODEF16-D3]". IHS Jane's. Retrieved 2016-11-07.
  4. ^ "PCG's fifth Multi-Role Response Vessel from Japan arrives in Manila" (Press release). Philippine Coast Guard. 2017-08-07. Retrieved 2017-08-07.
  5. ^ "Philippine Coast Guard commissions 3 new ships"
  6. ^ Koh Swee Lean Collin (2017-09-02). "Practical Maritime Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific". The Diplomat. Retrieved 2018-09-05.
  7. ^ “PH, Japan Coast Guards hold Joint Drill in Manila Bay”
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  Media related to IMO 9809459 at Wikimedia Commons