THE WORLD’S LARGEST OPV MADE IN ALUMINUM TO DATE, BRP Gabriela Silang (OPV 8301)

THE WORLD’S LARGEST OPV MADE IN ALUMINUM TO DATE is the 83.6-meter Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) service as Barko ng Republika ng Pilipinas (BRP) (Republic of the Philippines vessel in English) Gabriela Silang (OPV 8301).

The BRP Gabriela Silang is designed to meet the demanding mandate of the PCG which highlights the responsibility to perform maritime search and rescue in service to the nation.

OPV 8301 was put into service for sustainable presence at sea in line with the orders of President Rodrigo Duterte to increase the patrols in the Philippine Rise and West Philippine Sea and in other anti-piracy and terrorism campaigns of the government in the Southern Philippines since it has a maximum range of 8,000 nautical miles at 15 knots and can patrol up to 22 days long at sea.

The OPV has an excellent sea keeping ability and maneuverability on top of the great comfort it offers for people onboard. It can accommodate 64 crew onboard, ferry approximately 500 people at one time, and is more than capable to perform beyond its contractual specification of 20 knots of speed.

OPV is equipped with a mission management system (MMS) with dedicated command and control center, which integrates vessel’s sensors such as radars, automatic identification system (AIS), communications equipment, surveillance equipment, day and night vision camera, etc. The MMS utilizes advanced technologies in computer and radio techniques to signify improve operational efficiency of users providing a multi-user system that can compile and maintain a tactical Common Operation Picture, allowing even the onboard rigid inflatable boats to have access to the situation picture and to improve the control of operations. It is also capable of situation awareness, target detection, tracking and information, record and replay, information display, and exchange of information with other units.

This OPV is also capable of responding to marine environmental pollution such as oil spills using its onboard containerized anti-pollution equipment. Meanwhile, its Hyperbaric Chamber will be useful for treating diving sickness and its survivor room is capable of accommodating rescued persons.

Aside from all these, the vessel has two onboard 9-meter Rigid Hull Inflatable Boats (RHIBs) with speed of 40 knots specially designed for law enforcement to include visit and boarding of other vessels.

Its main engine is a hybrid engine of diesel-electric type, which is the first vessel under PCG to utilize diesel electric engine. Included as well in the contract is the Integrated Logistics Support which pertains to spare parts supply and maintenance services for five years.

Last 17 July 2019, OCEA held a ceremony to formally launch the vessel in OCEA shipyard graced by officials from the Department of Transportation, Maritime Industry Authority and the PCG. PCG Commandant, Admiral Elson E Hermogino, together with Deputy Chief of Coast Guard Staff for Strategic Studies and Modernization, Captain Ferdinan B Picar and PCG Spokesperson, Captain Armando A Balilo, and officials from Department of Transportation and Maritime Industry Authority attended the said launching.

BRP Gabriela Silang left Saint-Nazaire, France for its maiden voyage on 30 December 2019 but was directed by Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade, as part of the national government’s preparation to repatriate Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) in case hostilities erupt in the Middle East who may need immediate extrication, the arrival of BRP Gabriela Silang is halted for a greater cause.

The PCG’s first OPV was formally launched in OCEA shipyard in France on 17 July 2019. It is built to OPV 270 vessel design of OCEA, the vessel’s shipbuilder from France under the Philippine Ports and PCG Capability Development Project with Department of Transportation (DOTr) as the implementing agency. It was signed into contract last 09 September 2014 with contract cost of €97,032,507 equivalent to Php 5,593,623,382.06.

The OPV-8301 is the fifth and final vessel as part of the EUR90 million-contract acquisition project awarded by the Department of Transportation and financed through French international banking group, BNP Paribas.

To finance the implementation of this project, President Rodrigo Duterte issued Presidential Authority on 10 January 2017 authorizing Department of Finance Secretary Carlos G Dominguez to enter into financing agreement with BNP Paribas (France). Included in this project are the four 24-meter Fast Patrol Boats that were already completely delivered in 2018.

OPV 8301 arrived at the Manila Bay Anchorage Area last 07 April 2020 and was officially commissioned last 13 April 2020.

OPV 8301 was under the helm of the following Commanding Officers:
Coast Guard Commander Alberto T Ferre
Coast Guard Commander Rolando L Lorenzana

Thank you for watching!

Video courtesy of OCEA and BRP Gabriela Silang (OPV 8301)