PRC’s humanitarian ship ready to sail

MANILA, Philippines - The humanitarian vessel of the Philippine Red Cross is ready to be deployed to areas hit by disasters, PRC chairman Richard Gordon has said.

The  195-foot military prototype vessel was named PRC Amazing Grace as proposed by the winner of the  ship naming contest held by the PRC in March.

“The ship is ready to sail. I just want to make sure that everything is fine for maintenance.  We’ll bring it to the dry dock for anode protection to prevent rusting,” Gordon said during the launch of the ship yesterday.

The anode protection, which will take two weeks, will be at the dry dock in Subic Bay Freeport Zone.  

Originally called Susitna, the disaster response vessel originated from Matanuska-Susitna Borough in Alaska. The PRC acquired the vessel for $1.75 million or P88 million.

Gordon said the ship could carry up to 20 ambulances or six trucks loaded with cargo. It is capable of operating as a cargo-loaded barge that can haul itself onto shore and a twin-hulled vessel that cuts through choppy seas and shallow waters.

The ship can carry up to 120 passengers and has a total freight capacity of  35 tons.

“It can bring patients and tend to patients on board. You can bring it anywhere,” Gordon said.

He gave assurance that there are PRC warehouses that will support the operations of the vessel.