BRP Cape Engaño

BRP Cape Engaño (MRRV-4411)
History
Philippines
NameBRP Cape Engaño
NamesakeCape Engaño Lighthouse located in Palaui Island, Santa Ana, Cagayan
Ordered29 May 2015
BuilderJapan Marine United, Yokohama, Japan
CompletedJuly 2018
Commissioned23 August 2018
Identification
Statusin active service
General characteristics
Class and typeParola-class patrol vessel
Length44.5 m (146 ft)
Beam7.5 m (25 ft)
Draft4 m (4.0 m)
Propulsion
  • 2 × MTU 12V4000M93L 12-cylinder diesel engines,
  • Total diesel engine output: 3,460 shp (2,580 kW)
SpeedMaximum @ 25 knots (46 km/h), cruising 15 knots (28 km/h)
Range1,500 nautical miles (2,800 km)
Boats & landing
craft carried		1 × RHIB work boat
Complement25 (5 officers, 20 enlisted)
Sensors and
processing systems		Furuno FAR series X & S-band navigation radars
Armament2 x M2 Browning .50 BMG (12.7×99mm NATO)

BRP Cape Engaño (MRRV-4411) is the tenth ship of the Parola-class patrol vessels of the Philippine Coast Guard.

Design and features

The Philippine Coast Guard clarified that the ship is a law enforcement vessel and is designed to conduct environmental and humanitarian missions, as well as maritime security operations and patrol missions.[1]

The ship was designed with a bulletproof navigation bridge, and is equipped with fire monitors, night vision capability, a work boat, and radio direction finder capability.[2]

The ship will be equipped with communications and radio monitoring equipment from Rohde & Schwarz, specifically the M3SR Series 4400 and Series 4100 software-defined communication radios, and DDF205 radio monitoring equipment. These equipment enhances the ship's reconnaissance, pursuit and communications capabilities.[3]

Construction, delivery and commissioning

BRP Cape Engaño was completed sea trials in Yokohama, Japan and arrived at the Philippine Coast Guard National Headquarters in August 2018.

BRP Cape Engaño was commissioned by the Philippine Coast Guard at Philippine Coast Guard National Headquarters on August 23, 2018, along with BRP Bagacay in a double commission ceremony.[4]

Operational history

In October 2018, the BRP Cape Engaño along with the BRP Boracay (2401) assisted in the transfer of passengers of the M/V Super Shuttle 18 which was stranded off the port of Malay, Aklan due to engine trouble. All of the 142 passengers of the M/V Super Shuttle 18 were later safely brought to the Caticlan Jetty Port.[5]

China Coast Guard ramming incident

On August 19, 2024, Cape Engaño along with the BRP Bagacay suffered damage after being rammed by China Coast Guard ships off the Sabina Shoal. Bagacay suffered a 3-foot hole above the waterline.[6] A 60 Minutes crew with journalist Cecilia Vega were onboard the Cape Engaño when it was surrounded by 14 Chinese Coast Guard and Maritime Militia ships and rammed at 4am by a China Coast Guard vessel. The ramming tore a 3 1/2 foot hole above the waterline on the Cape Engaño.[7]

References

  1. ^ Marcelo, Elizabeth (2016-08-18). "Coast guard acquires 44-meter patrol vessel from Japan". GMA News. Retrieved 2016-11-07.
  2. ^ "LOOK: PH Coast Guard gets new rescue ship from Japan". Rappler. 2016-07-28. Retrieved 2016-11-07.
  3. ^ Scott, Richard (2016-11-04). "SDRs for Philippine Coast Guard [INDODEF16-D3]". IHS Jane's. Retrieved 2016-11-07.
  4. ^ "PCG commissions last two 44-meter Multi Role Response Vessels today" (Press release). Philippine Coast Guard. 2018-08-23. Retrieved 2018-08-23.
  5. ^ "142 Passengers rescued from Ro-Ro Vessel in Aklan"
  6. ^ Aaron-Matthew, Lariosa (19 August 2024). "China Coast Guard Rams Philippine Cutters Near Disputed South China Sea Shoals". USNI News. Retrieved 23 August 2024.
  7. ^ "China rams Philippine ship while 60 Minutes on board; South China Sea tensions could draw U.S. in". 60 Minutes. September 16, 2024.

See also