OPV 270 “Gabriela Silang” transports relief aid to typhoon victims

November 2020

 

The Offshore Patrol Vessel « Gabriela Silang », designed and built by OCEA and delivered to Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) this year is transporting aid to victims of typhoon Rolly.

 

Typhoon Rolly is the strongest typhoon to hit the Philippines in 2020, right in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Philippine Coast Guard’s largest vessel, Gabriela Silang, was mobilized to transport aid to victims and assist families affected and displaced by the typhoon. Arriving in the Port of Virac, Catanduanes, on November 6, 2020, the Gabriela Silang provided safe and secure transportation to bring food packs, drinking water and other goods and supplies to communities that were affected by the typhoon.

 

This Monday, November 9, the ship continues to provide assistance and leaves on a mission with 65 tons of equipment. This is a vital link in disaster management and relief operations for the Philippine Coast Guard.

 

 

About « Gabriela Silang »

 

The OCEA OPV 270 « Gabriela Silang » is the largest aluminium OPV ever built in the world. It is a world premiere, state-of-the-art offshore patrol vessel, selected by the Philippine Coast Guard after an international competition for its exceptional performances, matching the demanding operational requirements of their missions.

The first year of operation confirmed that the vessel is more than capable to perform beyond its contractual specification of 20 knots of speed, a range of 8000 nautical miles at 15 knots and an endurance of up to 45 days of operation. The missions fulfilled before and during the COVID-19 pandemic also confirmed its excellent sea keeping ability, its maneuverability, its versatility and the great comfort on board, an important factor for the 70 crew and personnel on those long missions.

The lightness of OCEA solution is a key asset to enable such performances. The hybrid diesel-electric propulsion associated to the optimized weight of the Gabriela Silang allow significantly lower fuel consumption and maintenance costs than an equivalent steel hull ship, as outlined by the Philippine Coast Guard during the recent anniversary of the institution.

The specific conception of the OCEA OPV 270 will, over 20 years of operation, allow for a CO2 emission reduction of about 20 400 tons, equivalent to approximately 40% reduction by comparison to a similar size steel vessel, for equal performances.

This OPV is also equipped for disaster relief thanks to its helideck and hangar, its survivors’ room that can accommodate 35 rescued persons, its sickbay and its hyperbaric chamber useful for treating diving incidents. Furthermore, the Gabriela Silang is capable of responding to marine environmental pollution such as oil spills using its onboard containerized anti-pollution equipment. For intervention, the vessel also holds onboard two 9-meter Rigid Hull Inflatable Boats (RHIBs) capable of speeds up to 40 knots and equipped with modular outfitting for rescue or law enforcement operations.

 

To find out more, click here.

Photos from PCG Commandant Admiral George V. Ursabia, Jr.