BRP Bagacay (MRRV-4410) explained

BRP Bagacay (MRRV-4410) is the ninth ship of the Parola-class patrol vessels of the Philippine Coast Guard.

Design and features

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 an armored 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

After completed sea trials in Yokohama, Japan, BRP Bagacay arrived at Philippine Coast Guard National Headquarters on May 31, 2018.

On August 23, 2018, Bagacay and commissioned into Philippine Coast Guard fleet.[4]

Service history

In September 2018, the BRP Bagacay was officially deployed to the PCG Southwestern Mindanao District based in Zamboanga City where she joins two other ships of her class already deployed there, the and .[5]

In November 2018, the ship was transferred to Banguingui, Sulu (originally named Tongkil) to augment the security forces in that area.[6]

In July 2021, the BRP Bagacay intercepted the motor boat Dynasty which was carrying 70 boxes of smuggled cigarettes off the coast of Zamboanga City.[7]

In early August 2021, the ship conducted a Medical Evacuation (MEDEVAC) of an Australian veterinarian from the livestock carrier MV Maysora off the coast of Zamboanga City. The veterinarian suffered a bone fracture when he fell from a cattle pen while working[8]

In late August 2021, the BRP Bagacay rescued a French national whose yacht Ouma went adrift after suffering engine trouble off the waters of Tubbataha Reef in the Sulu Sea.[9]

In April 30, 2024 the Bagacay was on a mission to supply food and water to Filipino fishermen doing their livelihood at Panatag Shoal inside the exclusive economic zone of the Philippines in the West Philippine Sea when she was harassed and bombarded with water cannons by Chinese Coast Guard ships causing damage to her canopy and steel railings.[10] [11]

On August 18, 2024, the ship was hulled in a maritime incident involving the PRC Navy near Sabina Shoal in the South China Sea, known in the Philippines as Escoda Shoal.[12]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Coast guard acquires 44-meter patrol vessel from Japan . Marcelo . Elizabeth . 2016-11-07 . 2016-08-18 . GMA News.
  2. Web site: LOOK: PH Coast Guard gets new rescue ship from Japan . 2016-11-07 . 2016-07-28 . Rappler.
  3. Web site: SDRs for Philippine Coast Guard [INDODEF16-D3] ]. Scott . Richard . 2016-11-07 . 2016-11-04 . IHS Jane's.
  4. PCG commissions last two 44-meter Multi Role Response Vessels today. Philippine Coast Guard. 2018-08-23. 2018-08-23.
  5. http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php/articles/1048409 “PCG Deploys Add’l Vessel in Southern Philippines”
  6. http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php/articles/1054167 "PCG Intercepts P50-M Smuggled Rice Shipment Off Sulu"
  7. https://mb.com.ph/2021/07/09/pcg-seizes-70-boxes-of-smuggled-cigarettes-in-zamboanga-city/ "PCG seizes 70 Boxes of Smuggled Cigarettes in Zamboanga City"
  8. https://mb.com.ph/2021/08/08/pcg-conducts-medical-evacuation-for-injured-australian-crew-off-zamboanga-city/ "PCG conducts Medical Evacuation for injured Australian Crew off Zamboanga City"
  9. https://mb.com.ph/2021/08/27/french-boat-captain-in-distressed-yacht-rescued-in-sulu-sea/ "French Boat Captain in distressed Yacht rescued in Sulu Sea"
  10. https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/905222/chinese-coast-guard-water-cannons-ph-vessels-scarborough-shoal/story/ "China Coast Guard fires water cannons at PH vessels near Scarborough Shoal"
  11. https://news.sky.com/story/how-a-philippine-coastguard-ship-ended-up-being-surrounded-by-12-chinese-vessels-13126205 "How a Philippine coastguard ship ended up being surrounded by 12 Chinese vessels"
  12. News: UPI. Chinese and Philippine ships collide amid territorial dispute of South China Sea. Darryl Coote . August 20, 2024. MSN.