Philippine Navy (PN) Del Pilar (Hamilton and Hero)-class frigate BRP Ramon Alcaraz (PS 16) has returned to the southwestern Indian port of Kochi for repairs after a fire broke out in its main engine room on 7 May while en route back to the Philippines.
In a 10 May statement the PN said the frigate was able to return to Kochi “under its own power and unassisted” where technicians are now conducting damage assessment and systems evaluation in connection to the fire, which left two sailors injured and was apparently caused by “lube oil leakage”.
“Based on an initial assessment, one of its [the frigate’s] main engines must undergo necessary repairs to ensure the sea-worthiness of the ship and safety of its crew prior to its return voyage to the country,” said the PN, adding that the ex-US Coast Guard vessel will “stay put to fully restore its operational status with the assistance of the United States Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA)”.
The service explained that it is co-ordinating with NAVSEA and the Joint US Military Assistance Group – Philippines to work out the repair requirements for the ship, which was acquired from the United States in 2012 and is still part of a NAVSEA technical support programme.
The PN said the repair and restoration period for the frigate is pegged at 21 days “in consideration of the restraint [needed] due to the Covid-19 [coronavirus pandemic]”, while pointing out that this “may be shortened”.
A day earlier, on 9 May, Philippine Secretary of Defence Delfin Lorenzana had said Manila would use its “existing diplomatic mechanisms and its defence co-operation agreement with India to facilitate and expedite [repair] work on the ship so that it can return home swiftly”.
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