Two new BFAR offshore multi-mission vessels to be used vs. illegal fishing

The Department of Agriculture - Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources on Thursday held a ceremony in Navotas City to launch two 50-meter offshore multi-mission vessels to be used in its campaign against illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing.

Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol led the ceremony.

According to a report on Unang Balita on Friday, the vessels cost P250 million each.

The two vessels christened Lapu-Lapu and Francisco Dagohoy were made in the Philippines starting January 2016 and are currently undergoing finishing touches, DA-BFAR said in a press release issued Thursday.

These will be commissioned by President Rodrigo Duterte in two months after the necessary equipment are added.

The vessels will be used to patrol Philippine Rise, Sulu Sea, and West Philippine Sea, and will carry weapons, the Unang Balita report said.

However the vessels have no radar capability as of the moment.

The DA-BFAR said the vessels were designed by ship designer Incat Crowther and built by Josefa Slipways, Inc. in Navotas City.

The designs and other plans were made in accordance with the rules of Bureau Veritas, an international certification agency. —KG/KVD, GMA News