On 18th December 2019, the Philippine Ambassador to France Her Excellency Ma. Theresa Lazaro led the Philippine contingent in the Change of Flag Ceremony for the 84 metre Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) 8301 BRP GABRIELA SILANG which was built by OCEA Shipbuilding , France. Named after Gabriela Silang, a revolutionary leader during the Philippine struggle for independence from Spain, the ship’s design is based on the OPV-270 Mk. II offshore patrol vessel. She is the first offshore patrol vessel and the largest and most modern vessel of the Philippine Coast Guard.
She was delivered to the Philippine Coast Guard on 18th December, 2019. Spanning 84 meters in length, she currently holds the title for longest aluminum hull OPV in the world. She was scheduled to depart from France on 30th December 2019 and was expected to arrive in Manila on 10th February 2020.
On Sunday 5th January 2020 she entered Valletta, Malta for a fuel stop, supplies and crew change.
And she berthed at DWQ 1 starboard side alongside.
On Monday 3rd February around 2015 hrs she shifted to Magazine Wharf.
Friday 7th February at 1923 hrs she left Valletta for sea trials and re entered on Saturday 8th February at 0845 hrs berthing once again at Dwq 1 shifting again few days later to Dwq 4.
On Wednesday 12th February, her PB 900 rib was seen conducting sea trials off Valletta.
And on Friday 14th February drills in seamanship at Magazine Wharf –
On Friday 29th February she left Valletta at 2021 hrs bound to Catania, Sicily entering Saturday 1st March at 0812 hrs where she stayed for 9 days of which then she started the voyage to home passing Port Said on Sunday 15th March.
And today Tuesday 4th April she was welcomed by several ships and aircraft of the Phillippine Coast Guard as she approached Manila Bay for docking at the PCG’s headquarters in South Harbor.
Photos by Capt. Lawrence Dalli. Do not use these images without my permission. © All rights reserved. Malta Ship Photos & Action Photos – www.maltashipphotos.com
Published – Tuesday 7th April, 2020