The Ilocos Norte class is a 35m (115feet), all-aluminium patrol boat designed by Tenix Shipbuilding in Australia, based on the company's Pacific-class patrol boat.[1] Four vessels were delivered to the Philippine Coast Guard in December 2001.[1] An option for a follow on order of ten more ships was offered by Tenix, but not used by the Philippine Coast Guard.[1]
Tenix reused the Ilocos Norte design in 2008 for the New South Wales Police Force patrol vessel Nemesis; the largest police-operated patrol boat in the Southern Hermisphere.[2]
On December 24, 2009, BRP Nueva Vizcaya (SARV 3502), along with BRP Pampanga (SARV 003)and MT Tug Habaga (TB-271), was deployed to Cavite to conduct search and rescue operations when MV Catalyn B, a wooden hull motorized vessel collided with the fishing vessel FV Anatalia and sank northwest of Limbones Island at 2:25 a.m. Thursday.[3]
On April 8, 2013, BRP Romblon (SARV 3503) was deployed when a Chinese fishing vessel ran aground in Tubbataha Reef.[4] Romblon assisted with removing the ship's cargo and fuel.[5]
| Hull number | Name | Builder | Commissioned | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SARV-3501 | BRP Ilocos Norte | Tenix Shipbuilding | May 2003 | Active |
| SARV-3502 | BRP Nueva Vizcaya | 2003 | Active | |
| SARV-3503 | BRP Romblon | November 2003 | Active | |
| SARV-3504 | BRP Davao del Norte | February 12, 2004 | Active |