(Screengrab from BRP Antonio Luna Facebook video)
MANILA – The BRP Antonio Luna (FF-151), one of the Philippine Navy (PN)'s two guided missile frigates, conducted "man overboard" (MOB) drill during a recent patrol at the West Philippine Sea (WPS).
"In order to evaluate the confidence and skills of FF-151 OOWs (officers on watch) in performing maneuvers for MOB, FF-151 conducts MOB drills during her patrol at WPS," a Facebook post on Sunday night.
Among those evaluated are the initial actions of the bridge team, the constant monitoring of the location of the MOB, and the actions taken to ensure that there is no delay in saving the life of the person who has fallen overboard.
MOB is defined by marineinsight.com as an emergency situation where a member of the ship's crew "falls out at sea from the ship due to unforeseen circumstances which are but not limited to; bad weather, swell, accidents, and/or negligence."
"No matter where the ship is sailing (open seas or in still waters in port), it is very important to locate and recover the person thrown overboard as soon as possible as he/she may drown or suffer from hypothermia," it added.
The BRP Antonio Luna, which arrived in the country on Feb. 9, was formally commissioned at Pier 13, Manila South Harbor on March 13, 2021.
The frigate, along with its sister ship, BRP Jose Rizal (FF-150), is capable of surface, sub-surface, air, and electronic warfare using state-of-the-art electronic sensors, long-range missiles, acoustic-guided torpedoes, and an embarked anti-submarine helicopter.
The first frigate, BRP Jose Rizal, was delivered and subsequently commissioned on July 10, 2020.
The BRP Antonio Luna's keel-laying ceremony on May 23, 2019, coincided with the launch of BRP Jose Rizal.
The contract for the two ships was placed at PHP16 billion, with an additional PHP2 billion for weapon systems and munitions. (PNA)
