Divers from the Philippine Coast Guard and Philippine Navy on Saturday conducted undersea assessment in the shallow depths of Hasa-Hasa Shoal where the Philippine Navy frigate BRP Gregorio del Pilar ran aground last Tuesday.
Col. Noel Detoyato, Armed Forces of the Philippines Public Affairs Office chief, said divers from the Coast Guard Multi-Role Response vessel 4407 who arrived Friday began their underwater assessment.
“Initial assessment has been made by crewmen of BRP Del Pilar and divers from the Coast Guard MRRV 4407 and they are now planning the method of retrieving/extraction based on the gathered data by the divers,” Detoyato said.
In the meanwhile, an investigating and assessment team has been formed to look into the tragedy.
The team, formed by Navy flag officer-in-command Vice Admiral Robert Empedrad, is “expected to be aboard the ship anytime Saturday,” Detoyato said in Filipino.
He said the BRP Gregorio Del Pilar was recoverable as no hull penetration had been reported.
“There is very minimal damage to the hull,” Detoyato said, noting that damage seemed to be confined to the starboard (right) propeller of the ship.
Three days after the grounding, Navy authorities have not provided specific details as to where the navy frigate was heading to, neither the port destination.
But Detoyato said BRP Del Pilar ran aground while on routine maritime patrol at the West Philippine Sea Tuesday.
He said they were still awaiting the arrival of the two tugboats which would play a vital role in the retrieval of the grounded vessel, but in its absence, undersea assessments were being done to come up with the right plan of retrieval.
The assessment includes the physical condition of the hull, and the different kinds of propellers of BRP Del Pilar where one of the ship Thruster was damaged.
Two tugboats bound for Hasa-Hasa Shoal left Batangas Port last Wednesday and were reportedly approaching the accident site.
China has reportedly offered assistance to remove the frigate but Detoyato said no formal word relating China’s bid had reached Navy authorities.
Unconfirmed reports said there were Chinese ships near Hasa-Hasa Shoal where BRP Del Pilar had been stucked.
Detoyato declined to comment on such reports, saying it was up to the Department of Foreign Affairs to make appropriate response.
At present, a Philippine Navy patrol ship and an air reconnaissance aircraft were dispatched to Hasa-Hasa Shoal to monitor the situation and protect BRP Del Pilar and its 117 sailors.
The BRP Nestor Reinoso (PG-380) is also on hand to provide help, Detoyato said.
The BRP Gregorio Del Pilar is one of three Hamilton-class cutters acquired by the Philippine Navy from the United States Coast Guard and converted into frigates.
These ships have a gross tonnage of 3,250 tons, length of 378 feet, beam of 43 feet, and draft of 15 feet while its propulsion systems consist of two diesel engines and two gas turbine engines, giving it a top speed of 29 knots.
These vessels have a cruising range of 14,000 miles and a sea and loiter time of 45 days. They are armed with a 76-mm. Oto Melara automatic cannon, 25-mm. and 20-mm. light cannons, and .50-caliber machine guns. With PNA