PHL Red Cross unveils first rescue, humanitarian vessel

The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) unveiled on Monday its first rescue and humanitarian vessel capable of responding to all sorts of calamities.

A report by GMA News' Steve Dailisan on 24 Oras shows the former military vessel, currently named M/V Susitna, equipped with state-of-the-art equipment.

The PRC purchased the vessel for $1.75 million from an Alaska-based shipping company.

PRC chairman Sen. Richard Gordon said the vessel will allow faster response times in areas affected by disasters.

"Kailangan natin ng barko na makakalapit kaagad sa disaster. Ang experience namin palagi… noong Yolanda 'di kami makapunta agad-agad dahil sarado ang airport, sarado ang sea port, barado ang highway. Pagkatapos dun sa Bohol [earthquake] ganoon din," Gordon said.

The report said the 195-foot humanitarian vessel is capable of transporting 100 passengers or 20 vehicles such as ambulances, pay loaders, and other heavy equipment.

M/V Susitna can also dock on the seashore for faster rescue and relief efforts.

"Dalawa ang kanyang hull. Pag dalawa nag hull, flat yung gitna kaya mas maraming pwede ikarga," Maritime Academy of Asia and the Pacific president and retired Admiral Eduardo Santos said.

Aside from rescue teams and relief goods, the vessel can hold the PRC's hospital tent equipped with tools for surgery.

Santos said the PRC will deploy the vessel in advance to an area where a typhoon is expected.

"Inaakala natin na magkakaroon ng bagyo o anumang catastrophe ay pupwesto na kami sa malapit na safe kami na kakarga na lahat ng gamit," Santos said.

The PRC opened a contest for the public to rename the vessel until April 15. Netizens can use the hashtag NameThatRedCrossShip for their suggestions.

Watch for our #NameThatRedCrossShip on April 1,2017.
5 more days to go before you can #NameThatRedCrossShip and win special prizes. pic.twitter.com/meXMzvTaon

— Philippine Red Cross (@philredcross) March 27, 2017

— Joseph Tristan Roxas/BM, GMA News