Chinese Ship Disabled North of Tubbataha Reef
The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) reports another foreign vessel in trouble off Palawan, to be taken in tow. The Chinese cargo ship M/V Tai An Hai reported engine trouble and was drifting late some 96 kilometers south of Tubbataha Reef, reports The Philippine Star. The M/V Tai An Hai was on passage from Singapore to Tagbilaran, Bohol to deliver 5,900 tons of limestone when the ship's main engines shut down. Initial reports from the area indicated rough sea conditions had hammered the vessel and the ship's captain was worried that the ship would run aground in shallow waters. The Coast Guard’s BRP Pampanga was deployed to render assistance to the Chinese vessel, and an ocean-going tugboat, the Harbor Star is also on its way to assist. Source: The Philippine Star
USS Guardian Update
Ship's funnel removed, mast section to be lifted off next. As weather conditions seem to be fine near Tubbataha Reef, salvaging operation of the USS Guardian that ran aground last month along a portion of the UNESCO World Heritage reef continues as the team starts to prepare for level 2 section lifting. Commodore Enrico Efren Evangelista, Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Palawan district commander and chief of Task Force Tubbataha said that the operations currently on-going for the clearing of equipments below weather deck as well as the removal of sonar winch at the bow…
Japan to Provide Grants to Philippines for Maritime Safety
Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Aso and Philippine Foreign Secretary Alberto Romulo signed agreements on two Japanese grant-aid projects Tuesday. The grant, worth $12.5m U in total, will help the Philippines in disaster prevention and management as well as maritime safety and security. According to the agreements, Japan will extend $7.2m for the improvement of flood forcasting and warning system in the Pampanga and Agno River Basins in the Philippines. The grant is expected to substantially improve information accuracy and provide technical support for improving the system operation for flood forecasting and disaster prevention. The second project…
Coast Guards Conduct Joint Exercise
Asia Pulse said in a bid to develop doctrines and procedures in inter-operability collaborations with foreign counterparts, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) held a joint actual/practical exercise with the Japan Coast Guard (JCG). The exercise area covered 15 square miles and has a range of 7.5 west of Manila, according the report. On the other hand, Coyme said for air and sea inspection, the elite force will be supported by PCG Helo, PCG 56 metre SAR (search and rescue) vessel (BRP Pampanga, SARV 003) and BRP Ilocos Norte (SARV 3501) , BRP Corregidor (AE 891), TB Habagat (TB 271) and Japan Coast Guard (JCO) Patrol. Source: Asia Pulse
Arroyo Inspects Shipbuilding Facility
Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo inspected the ongoing construction in Subic Bay, Zambales of the biggest shipbuilding facility in Asia. The President arrived at and inspected the construction works at the Hanjin Heavy Industries and Construction Company (HHIC) shipyard located in Agusuhin, Redondo Peninsula, about 45 minutes by ferry from the Subic Bay Freeport. Among those who welcomed the President were HHIC chairman Cho Nam Ho, HHIC president Lee kang Rok, HHIC-Philippines president Jeong Sup Shim, Zambales Governor Vic Magsaysay, Bataan Governor Enrique Garcia, Pampanga Governor Mark Lapid, Olongapo City Mayor James Gordon Jr., Subic Mayor Jeffrey Khonghun, and Korean Ambassador Jong Ki Hong.
