BRP Gregorio del Pilar (PF-15)
Encyclopedia
The BRP Gregorio del Pilar (PF-15) is a patrol frigate of the Philippine Navy
. Originally, it was built as a US Coast Guard Hamilton class cutter, known as USCGC Hamilton (WHEC-715)
and was transferred to the Philippine Navy on May 13, 2011. In late July 2011, she passed by Hawaii for a brief port visit and during mid Aug. 2011 in Guam prior to arriving in the Philippines on August 21, 2011. She is the second Philippine Navy ship to have borne the same name, the first being another ex-US Coast Guard Cutter
. She is expected to be the first of several ex-US Coast Guard s that will serve the Philippine Navy
.
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USCGC Hamilton (WHEC-715)
was based out of San Diego, California
. It was launched December 18, 1965 at Avondale Shipyard
s near New Orleans, Louisiana
and named for Alexander Hamilton
the first United States Secretary of the Treasury
and founder of the United States Revenue Cutter Service
. She was commissioned March 18, 1967 and was decommissioned on March 28, 2011. The ship was sold under the FMS program and was transferred to the Philippine Navy
.
Hamilton served a variety of missions with distinction. During a 1969-70 deployment to Vietnam
, Hamilton interdicted weapons smugglers and fired more than 4,600 rounds of gunfire in support of U.S. and Vietnamese
troops ashore. From 1965-1975, Hamilton served on Atlantic Ocean
Stations, collecting valuable oceanographic data and conducting frequent search and rescue missions. Hamilton also directed the interdictions of over 21,000 Haiti
an migrants throughout the Caribbean
during Operation Able Manner. In 1994, Hamilton received the Coast Guard Meritorious Unit Commendation for rescuing 135 Haitians from the sea after their sailboat capsized and sank. In 1996, Hamilton transited the Panama Canal
and served as the command and control platform for Operation Frontier Shield, a multi-agency effort to curtail the influx of narcotics into the United States. Hamilton intercepted 14 drug-laden vessels carrying more than 115 tons of contraband worth 200 million dollars. In 1999, Hamilton seized over 2,700 kilograms of cocaine bound for the U.S. in the Eastern Pacific Ocean
. Hamilton frequently patrolled the Bering Sea
off the Alaska
n coast at the Maritime Boundary Line (MBL) which separates the Russian and the United States Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZ). Hamiltons presence on the MBL deterred foreign fishing vessels from fishing in the U.S. EEZ.
In March 2007, Hamilton assisted the in the largest recorded maritime drug bust in history. The two vessels intercepted the Panamanian-flagged fishing vessel Gatun in international waters and were able to recover 20 metric tons of cocaine, with an estimated street value of $600 million dollars retail. The seizure was the largest drug bust in US history and the largest interdiction at sea.
.
sent a formal letter of interest for its purchase. As an Excess Defense Article (EDA), transfer took place “as is”. The US Coast Guard
invited the Philippines to send technical teams to the cutter's homeport of San Diego during consecutive weeks in November 2010 to conduct a thorough inspection, known as a Joint Visual Inspection (JVI) of the vessel. The Philippine Navy sent its acting head, and conducted full reviews, both dockside and underway, of their prospective cutter’s structural condition, propulsion systems, engineering plan, material history and any corrosion issues.
for ship's prospective commanding officer, executive officer and crew.
Phase I of the training, from late February until the end of April 2011, involved training 21 members of its prospective crew. The Philippine Navy crew trained on the Boutwell during its maneuvers off the coasts of Mexico and Panama. Phase II of additional dockside and underway training began on 14 May 2011. For 10 weeks, 11 Coast Guard advisors and subject matter experts helped train the remaining 75 crew members. This included the ship's layout, navigation systems, and operating, casualty and maintenance procedures that would allow the safe operation of the ship back to the Philippines.
to use as a spare for operational WHECs
. Also removed are the ship’s Close-In Weapons System
and secondary 25 mm gun systems, which will be used on their new National Security Cutters (NSCs) and Sentinel-class Fast Response Cutters, respectively. In return, the US Coast Guard began procuring and installing the safe-to-sail navigation equipment, radar systems and additional electronics that the Philippines' requested as part of its transfer support case. It was also announced that the Philippine Navy will install a 25mm chain gun, six mounted 50-caliber guns and two 20mm cannons.
After June 30, the BRP Gregorio del Pilar moved from Coast Guard Island
to a commercial pier in Alameda
to finish the remaining work, with around 13 separate contracting actions. In early July, the ship did a four-day run at sea along the coast of California for a test of the crew’s capabilities and the ship’s sea-worthiness. After that, the American trainers de-boarded and left the Filipino naval officers and men on their own. She officially got underway on July 18th from Coast Guard Island Alameda on the voyage home to the Philippines and was expected to arrive in mid-August 2011.
The ship arrived in Philippine territory last August 17 after almost a month of voyage from California, and arrived in Manila on 21 August 2011. After the arrival ceremony on 23 August 2011, the ship will undergo dry-docking and repainting to standard haze grey. Some minor repairs and fitting of additional facilities and equipment will also be done.
President Benigno Aquino III hopes that this, his first major military acquisition, will be a symbol of his administration's intention to strengthen and modernize the Philippine Navy and Armed Forces, and to defend its territory and Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) in the South China Sea, also known as the West Philippine Sea.
, considering that the vessel is projected to be deployed to secure oil platform and exploration activities in the Western and Southern Philippines.
in honor of the young general of the Philippine Revolution
who was the hero of the Battle of Tirad Pass
during the Philippine-American War
where he lost his life.
for a scheduled port visit. She will take on supplies and fuel, and hold a reception hosted by the Philippine Consulate in Honolulu and the Philippine Celebrations Coordinating Committee of Hawaii. The crew will also visit the USS Arizona Memorial
. It also marks the first time a Philippine naval vessel pulled into Pearl Harbor.
After her stop at Hawaii, she arrived for a port visit to Guam on 12 August 2011, and departed on 14 August 2011 on the way to the Philippines.
conducted a Passing Exercise (PASSEX) off the coast of Hawaii.
On 22 August 2011, the United States Embassy in Manila posted on their Facebook account photos indicating that BRP Gregorio del Pilar had an in-stride training with USS Fitzgerald (DDG-62)
on their transit to Guam, which may have started around 4 August 2011.
gas turbine
s, she can travel at speeds up to 28 knots (55 km/h). She also has two 3500 hp Fairbanks-Morse
diesel engine
s, capable of driving the ship economically at 17 knots (33 km/h) for up to 14400 nautical miles (26,668.8 km) without refueling. A retractable/rotatable bow propulsion unit
provides maneuverability in tight situations.
Philippine Navy
The Philippine Navy is the naval arm of the Armed Forces of the Philippines . Its official name in Filipino is Hukbong Dagat ng Pilipinas, literally, "Sea Force of the Philippines"....
. Originally, it was built as a US Coast Guard Hamilton class cutter, known as USCGC Hamilton (WHEC-715)
USCGC Hamilton (WHEC-715)
USCGC Hamilton was a U. S. Coast Guard high endurance cutter based out of San Diego, California. Launched December 18, 1965 at Avondale Shipyards near New Orleans, Louisiana and named for Alexander Hamilton the first United States Secretary of the Treasury and founder of the United States Revenue...
and was transferred to the Philippine Navy on May 13, 2011. In late July 2011, she passed by Hawaii for a brief port visit and during mid Aug. 2011 in Guam prior to arriving in the Philippines on August 21, 2011. She is the second Philippine Navy ship to have borne the same name, the first being another ex-US Coast Guard Cutter
BRP Gregorio del Pilar (PF-8)
The BRP Gregorio del Pilar was an Andres Bonifacio class frigate of the Philippine Navy in commission from 1977 to 1990. She was one of six ex-United States Navy Barnegat-class seaplane tenders/ex-United States Coast Guard Casco-class high endurance cutters received from the United States after...
. She is expected to be the first of several ex-US Coast Guard s that will serve the Philippine Navy
Philippine Navy
The Philippine Navy is the naval arm of the Armed Forces of the Philippines . Its official name in Filipino is Hukbong Dagat ng Pilipinas, literally, "Sea Force of the Philippines"....
.
As USCGC Hamilton (WHEC-715)
USCGC Hamilton (WHEC-715)
USCGC Hamilton was a U. S. Coast Guard high endurance cutter based out of San Diego, California. Launched December 18, 1965 at Avondale Shipyards near New Orleans, Louisiana and named for Alexander Hamilton the first United States Secretary of the Treasury and founder of the United States Revenue...
was based out of San Diego, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
. It was launched December 18, 1965 at Avondale Shipyard
Avondale Shipyard
Avondale Shipyard was an independent shipbuilding company, acquired by Litton Industries, in turn acquired by Northrop Grumman Corporation. Now, along with the former Ingalls Shipbuilding, the yard is part of Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding. The yard is located on the West Bank of the Mississippi...
s near New Orleans, Louisiana
New Orleans, Louisiana
New Orleans is a major United States port and the largest city and metropolitan area in the state of Louisiana. The New Orleans metropolitan area has a population of 1,235,650 as of 2009, the 46th largest in the USA. The New Orleans – Metairie – Bogalusa combined statistical area has a population...
and named for Alexander Hamilton
Alexander Hamilton
Alexander Hamilton was a Founding Father, soldier, economist, political philosopher, one of America's first constitutional lawyers and the first United States Secretary of the Treasury...
the first United States Secretary of the Treasury
United States Secretary of the Treasury
The Secretary of the Treasury of the United States is the head of the United States Department of the Treasury, which is concerned with financial and monetary matters, and, until 2003, also with some issues of national security and defense. This position in the Federal Government of the United...
and founder of the United States Revenue Cutter Service
United States Revenue Cutter Service
The United States Revenue Cutter Service was established by Secretary of the Treasury Alexander Hamilton in 1790 as an armed maritime law enforcement service. Throughout its entire existence the Revenue Cutter Service operated under the authority of the United States Department of the Treasury...
. She was commissioned March 18, 1967 and was decommissioned on March 28, 2011. The ship was sold under the FMS program and was transferred to the Philippine Navy
Philippine Navy
The Philippine Navy is the naval arm of the Armed Forces of the Philippines . Its official name in Filipino is Hukbong Dagat ng Pilipinas, literally, "Sea Force of the Philippines"....
.
Hamilton served a variety of missions with distinction. During a 1969-70 deployment to Vietnam
Vietnam
Vietnam – sometimes spelled Viet Nam , officially the Socialist Republic of Vietnam – is the easternmost country on the Indochina Peninsula in Southeast Asia. It is bordered by China to the north, Laos to the northwest, Cambodia to the southwest, and the South China Sea –...
, Hamilton interdicted weapons smugglers and fired more than 4,600 rounds of gunfire in support of U.S. and Vietnamese
South Vietnam
South Vietnam was a state which governed southern Vietnam until 1975. It received international recognition in 1950 as the "State of Vietnam" and later as the "Republic of Vietnam" . Its capital was Saigon...
troops ashore. From 1965-1975, Hamilton served on Atlantic Ocean
Atlantic Ocean
The Atlantic Ocean is the second-largest of the world's oceanic divisions. With a total area of about , it covers approximately 20% of the Earth's surface and about 26% of its water surface area...
Stations, collecting valuable oceanographic data and conducting frequent search and rescue missions. Hamilton also directed the interdictions of over 21,000 Haiti
Haiti
Haiti , officially the Republic of Haiti , is a Caribbean country. It occupies the western, smaller portion of the island of Hispaniola, in the Greater Antillean archipelago, which it shares with the Dominican Republic. Ayiti was the indigenous Taíno or Amerindian name for the island...
an migrants throughout the Caribbean
Caribbean
The Caribbean is a crescent-shaped group of islands more than 2,000 miles long separating the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea, to the west and south, from the Atlantic Ocean, to the east and north...
during Operation Able Manner. In 1994, Hamilton received the Coast Guard Meritorious Unit Commendation for rescuing 135 Haitians from the sea after their sailboat capsized and sank. In 1996, Hamilton transited the Panama Canal
Panama Canal
The Panama Canal is a ship canal in Panama that joins the Atlantic Ocean and the Pacific Ocean and is a key conduit for international maritime trade. Built from 1904 to 1914, the canal has seen annual traffic rise from about 1,000 ships early on to 14,702 vessels measuring a total of 309.6...
and served as the command and control platform for Operation Frontier Shield, a multi-agency effort to curtail the influx of narcotics into the United States. Hamilton intercepted 14 drug-laden vessels carrying more than 115 tons of contraband worth 200 million dollars. In 1999, Hamilton seized over 2,700 kilograms of cocaine bound for the U.S. in the Eastern Pacific Ocean
Pacific Ocean
The Pacific Ocean is the largest of the Earth's oceanic divisions. It extends from the Arctic in the north to the Southern Ocean in the south, bounded by Asia and Australia in the west, and the Americas in the east.At 165.2 million square kilometres in area, this largest division of the World...
. Hamilton frequently patrolled the Bering Sea
Bering Sea
The Bering Sea is a marginal sea of the Pacific Ocean. It comprises a deep water basin, which then rises through a narrow slope into the shallower water above the continental shelves....
off the Alaska
Alaska
Alaska is the largest state in the United States by area. It is situated in the northwest extremity of the North American continent, with Canada to the east, the Arctic Ocean to the north, and the Pacific Ocean to the west and south, with Russia further west across the Bering Strait...
n coast at the Maritime Boundary Line (MBL) which separates the Russian and the United States Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZ). Hamiltons presence on the MBL deterred foreign fishing vessels from fishing in the U.S. EEZ.
In March 2007, Hamilton assisted the in the largest recorded maritime drug bust in history. The two vessels intercepted the Panamanian-flagged fishing vessel Gatun in international waters and were able to recover 20 metric tons of cocaine, with an estimated street value of $600 million dollars retail. The seizure was the largest drug bust in US history and the largest interdiction at sea.
Renovation
In 1988, Hamilton completed a three-year fleet renovation and modernization that provided the ship with modern weapons and electronics systems. All spaces and machinery were also completely overhauled and refurbished. The new technology enabled Hamilton to operate seamlessly with the United States NavyUnited States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
.
Inspections
Proposal to decommission the ship was made for fiscal year 2011 budget, and the PhilippinesPhilippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
sent a formal letter of interest for its purchase. As an Excess Defense Article (EDA), transfer took place “as is”. The US Coast Guard
United States Coast Guard
The United States Coast Guard is a branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven U.S. uniformed services. The Coast Guard is a maritime, military, multi-mission service unique among the military branches for having a maritime law enforcement mission and a federal regulatory agency...
invited the Philippines to send technical teams to the cutter's homeport of San Diego during consecutive weeks in November 2010 to conduct a thorough inspection, known as a Joint Visual Inspection (JVI) of the vessel. The Philippine Navy sent its acting head, and conducted full reviews, both dockside and underway, of their prospective cutter’s structural condition, propulsion systems, engineering plan, material history and any corrosion issues.
Training
From January 2011, the US Coast Guard provided 10 weeks of combined dockside and underway training on Hamilton's sistership, the USCGC BoutwellUSCGC Boutwell (WHEC-719)
USCGC Boutwell is a U. S. Coast Guard high endurance cutter based out of Coast Guard Island, Alameda, California. Named for George S. Boutwell, United States Secretary of the Treasury under President Ulysses S. Grant....
for ship's prospective commanding officer, executive officer and crew.
Phase I of the training, from late February until the end of April 2011, involved training 21 members of its prospective crew. The Philippine Navy crew trained on the Boutwell during its maneuvers off the coasts of Mexico and Panama. Phase II of additional dockside and underway training began on 14 May 2011. For 10 weeks, 11 Coast Guard advisors and subject matter experts helped train the remaining 75 crew members. This included the ship's layout, navigation systems, and operating, casualty and maintenance procedures that would allow the safe operation of the ship back to the Philippines.
Removal of Equipment
The Hamilton was formally decommissioned on late March 2011, and the US Coast Guard removed the ship’s air surface search radarAN/SPS-40
The AN/SPS-40 is a United States Navy two-dimensional, long range air search radar that is capable of providing contact bearing and range. It was used on s, s, s, s, s, s, s and many other ship classes...
to use as a spare for operational WHECs
Hamilton class cutter
The Hamilton class cutter was the largest class of vessel in the United States Coast Guard until replaced by the National Security Cutter, aside from the Polar Ice Breakers. The hull classification symbol is prefixed WHEC...
. Also removed are the ship’s Close-In Weapons System
Phalanx CIWS
The Phalanx CIWS is an anti-ship missile defense system. It is a close-in weapon system and was designed and manufactured by the General Dynamics Corporation, Pomona Division...
and secondary 25 mm gun systems, which will be used on their new National Security Cutters (NSCs) and Sentinel-class Fast Response Cutters, respectively. In return, the US Coast Guard began procuring and installing the safe-to-sail navigation equipment, radar systems and additional electronics that the Philippines' requested as part of its transfer support case. It was also announced that the Philippine Navy will install a 25mm chain gun, six mounted 50-caliber guns and two 20mm cannons.
Transfer to the Philippine Navy
The ex-Hamilton was formally transferred to the Philippine government on 13 May 2011 during ceremonies at Coast Guard Island, and was renamed BRP Gregorio del Pilar (PF-15). The ship was then turned over to its Filipino crew, with Capt. Alberto A. Cruz as its first commanding officer.After June 30, the BRP Gregorio del Pilar moved from Coast Guard Island
Coast Guard Island
Coast Guard Island is in the Oakland Estuary between Oakland and Alameda, California. The island is situated in the historic Brooklyn Basin, now known as Embarcadero Cove. It is within the Alameda city limits, but is accessible, by car, only via a bridge to Dennison Street in Oakland.The Island...
to a commercial pier in Alameda
Alameda, California
Alameda is a city in Alameda County, California, United States. It is located on Alameda Island and Bay Farm Island, and is adjacent to Oakland in the San Francisco Bay. The Bay Farm Island portion of the city is adjacent to the Oakland International Airport. At the 2010 census, the city had a...
to finish the remaining work, with around 13 separate contracting actions. In early July, the ship did a four-day run at sea along the coast of California for a test of the crew’s capabilities and the ship’s sea-worthiness. After that, the American trainers de-boarded and left the Filipino naval officers and men on their own. She officially got underway on July 18th from Coast Guard Island Alameda on the voyage home to the Philippines and was expected to arrive in mid-August 2011.
The ship arrived in Philippine territory last August 17 after almost a month of voyage from California, and arrived in Manila on 21 August 2011. After the arrival ceremony on 23 August 2011, the ship will undergo dry-docking and repainting to standard haze grey. Some minor repairs and fitting of additional facilities and equipment will also be done.
President Benigno Aquino III hopes that this, his first major military acquisition, will be a symbol of his administration's intention to strengthen and modernize the Philippine Navy and Armed Forces, and to defend its territory and Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) in the South China Sea, also known as the West Philippine Sea.
Costs
The ship's transfer cost was pegged at Php450 million (around US$13.18 million as of 2011), while operation costs for 2 years was estimated at Php120 million. Funding came from the Department of Energy (DOE)Department of Energy (Philippines)
The Philippines' Department of Energy , abbreviated as DOE is the executive department of the Philippine Government responsible for preparing, integrating, coordinating, supervising and controlling all plans, programs, projects and activities of the Government relative to energy exploration,...
, considering that the vessel is projected to be deployed to secure oil platform and exploration activities in the Western and Southern Philippines.
Naming
Originally the Philippine Navy's Organizational and Manpower Management Committee, which deliberated on the possible names for the vessel, came up with three candidate names — Barko ng Republika ng Pilipinas (BRP) Lapu-Lapu, BRP Gregorio del Pilar, and BRP Jose Torres Bugallon. Ultimately the panel confirmed the name Gregorio del PilarGregorio del Pilar
Gregorio del Pilar y Sempio was one of the youngest generals in the Philippine Revolutionary Forces during the Philippine Revolution and the Philippine-American War. He is most known for his role and death at the Battle of Tirad Pass...
in honor of the young general of the Philippine Revolution
Philippine Revolution
The Philippine Revolution , called the "Tagalog War" by the Spanish, was an armed military conflict between the people of the Philippines and the Spanish colonial authorities which resulted in the secession of the Philippine Islands from the Spanish Empire.The Philippine Revolution began in August...
who was the hero of the Battle of Tirad Pass
Battle of Tirad Pass
The Battle of Tirad Pass, sometimes referred to as the "Philippine Thermopylae", was a battle in the Philippine-American War fought on December 2, 1899, in northern Luzon in the Philippines, in which a 60-man Filipino rearguard commanded by Brigadier General Gregorio del Pilar succumbed to 500...
during the Philippine-American War
Philippine-American War
The Philippine–American War, also known as the Philippine War of Independence or the Philippine Insurrection , was an armed conflict between a group of Filipino revolutionaries and the United States which arose from the struggle of the First Philippine Republic to gain independence following...
where he lost his life.
Port Calls
On 27 July 2011, the BRP Gregorio del Pilar arrived at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-HickamJoint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam
Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam is a United States military facility adjacent to Honolulu, Hawaii. It is an amalgamation of the former United States Air Force Hickam Air Force Base and the United States Navy Naval Base Pearl Harbor, which were merged in 2010.-Overview:Joint Base Pearl...
for a scheduled port visit. She will take on supplies and fuel, and hold a reception hosted by the Philippine Consulate in Honolulu and the Philippine Celebrations Coordinating Committee of Hawaii. The crew will also visit the USS Arizona Memorial
USS Arizona Memorial
The USS Arizona Memorial, located at Pearl Harbor in Honolulu, Hawaii, marks the resting place of 1,102 of the 1,177 sailors killed on the USS Arizona during the Attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941 by Japanese imperial forces and commemorates the events of that day...
. It also marks the first time a Philippine naval vessel pulled into Pearl Harbor.
After her stop at Hawaii, she arrived for a port visit to Guam on 12 August 2011, and departed on 14 August 2011 on the way to the Philippines.
Exercises
On 30 July 2011, the Gregorio del Pilar and USS Reuben James (FFG-57)USS Reuben James (FFG-57)
USS Reuben James , an Oliver Hazard Perry-class guided missile frigate, is the third ship of the U.S. Navy named for Reuben James, a boatswain's mate who distinguished himself fighting the Barbary pirates...
conducted a Passing Exercise (PASSEX) off the coast of Hawaii.
On 22 August 2011, the United States Embassy in Manila posted on their Facebook account photos indicating that BRP Gregorio del Pilar had an in-stride training with USS Fitzgerald (DDG-62)
USS Fitzgerald (DDG-62)
USS Fitzgerald , named for Lieutenant William Charles Fitzgerald, USN is an Arleigh Burke-class destroyer in the United States Navy. She was laid down by Bath Iron Works in Bath, Maine 9 February 1993; launched 29 January 1994; and commissioned 14 October 1995 in Newport, R.I...
on their transit to Guam, which may have started around 4 August 2011.
Design
The ship was designed with a high level of habitability and provides fairly comfortable accommodations, including air conditioning.Propulsion
She is the first Philippine military vessel to employ the now-common aircraft gas-turbine jet engines with the use of controllable pitch propellers. With her two 18000 hp Pratt & WhitneyPratt & Whitney
Pratt & Whitney is a U.S.-based aerospace manufacturer with global service operations. It is a subsidiary of United Technologies Corporation . Pratt & Whitney's aircraft engines are widely used in both civil aviation and military aviation. Its headquarters are in East Hartford, Connecticut, USA...
gas turbine
Gas turbine
A gas turbine, also called a combustion turbine, is a type of internal combustion engine. It has an upstream rotating compressor coupled to a downstream turbine, and a combustion chamber in-between....
s, she can travel at speeds up to 28 knots (55 km/h). She also has two 3500 hp Fairbanks-Morse
Fairbanks-Morse
Fairbanks Morse and Company was a manufacturing company in the late 19th and early 20th century. Originally a weighing scale manufacturer, it later diversified into pumps, engines, windmills, locomotives and industrial supplies until it was merged in 1958...
diesel engine
Diesel engine
A diesel engine is an internal combustion engine that uses the heat of compression to initiate ignition to burn the fuel, which is injected into the combustion chamber...
s, capable of driving the ship economically at 17 knots (33 km/h) for up to 14400 nautical miles (26,668.8 km) without refueling. A retractable/rotatable bow propulsion unit
Bow thruster
A bow thruster is a transversal propulsion device built into, or mounted to, the bow of a ship or boat to make it more maneuverable. Bow thrusters make docking easier, since they allow the captain to turn the vessel to port or starboard without using the main propulsion mechanism which requires...
provides maneuverability in tight situations.