Second Hamilton Class Cutter to Arrive by November
The
second Hamilton ship ex USCGS Dallas will be named BRP Ramon
Alcaraz, will be turned over by May 22 or 23 and could arrive in the
Philippines by November after refurbishments, repairs and training of
crew in the United States. (photo :motoryachtsoco)
MANILA,
Philippines—A second Hamilton class cutter will be turned over by the US
Coast Guard to the Philippine Navy late this month, Navy chief Vice
Admiral Alexander Pama said Tuesday.
The 45-year-old retired seacraft will be turned over by May 22 or 23, Pama told reporters in a phone interview.
He said the
ship could arrive in the Philippines by November after refurbishments,
repairs and training of crew in the United States.
Transfer cost
will be about the same as its sister ship, the BRP Gregorio del Pilar,
which cost the Philippine government about P450 million, Pama said.
He said that just like BRP del Pilar, some equipment will be taken out from the newest ship to join the Philippine fleet.
Among those
removed from the BRP del Pilar before its transfer to the Philippine
Navy were the sensors, communications and electronic equipment and
close-in weapon systems.
On the 70th
commemoration of Fall of Corregidor Sunday, President Benigno Aquino III
announced that the new Hamilton ship will be named BRP Ramon Alcaraz.
Alcaraz was a World War II hero who commanded motor torpedo boats, known as Q-boats.
The Q-112 Abra,
manned by Alcaraz and his crew, brought down three of the nine Japanese
“Zero” fighters attacking his boat, before being captured. In
captivity, Alcaraz became head of the Prisoner of War camp in Malolos,
making sure that his fellow POWs were kept hopeful and alive, said
Aquino.
(Inquirer)
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