PH Navy: No fire aboard BRP Gregorio Del Pilar
MANILA – The Philippine Navy (PN) said Tuesday night no fire broke out aboard the offshore patrol vessel BRP Gregorio Del Pilar (PS-15), amid reports of an unusual amount of smoke coming from the vessel during a recent sea trial.
“(The) BRP Gregorio Del Pilar conducted (a) sea trial in the waters at the vicinity of Subic in the morning of March 14, 2022. While the more-than-usual smoke was noted during the sea trial, there is no incident of fire aboard (the) ship as alleged. The ship’s force, together with our engineers and contracted repair specialists, are looking at the possible cause of the unusual volume of smoke,” Navy spokesperson Commander Benjo Negranza said in a message to the Philippine News Agency (PNA).
Negranza said the sea trial was held to gauge the vessel’s seaworthiness following its repair after a grounding incident in 2018.
“The Philippine Navy continues to collaborate with the US Naval Sea Systems Command to ensure PS-15’s readiness,” he added.
He also assured the public that the PN is vigorously pursuing the repair of BRP Gregorio Del Pilar as the Navy “endeavor(s) to make her ready and operational again.”
One of the ship’s two variable pitch propellers was damaged, along with its propeller hub, after it ran aground off Hasa-Hasa Shoal in August 2018.
Difficulties in procuring parts and the pandemic moved the completion of the repairs of the BRP Gregorio Del Pilar to the latter part of 2021. (PNA)
