Navy welcomes first marine research ship

The Philippine Navy (PN) formally welcomed yesterday  the country’s first dedicated marine research vessel – BRP Gregorio Velasquez (AGR 702). Navy officers watch as the newly-acquired Auxiliary General Research (AGR) vessel BRP Gregorio Velasquez (AGR 702) arrives at Pier 13 in South Harbor, Manila on Friday.AGR 702 is arriving from its almost a month and a half voyage from San Diegos, California where it was formally turned over, christened and commissioned to PN’s service.It would prode a valuable platform in oceanographic researches/surveys and to gather marine scientific data beneficial to naval operations.MB PHOTO / KEVIN DELA CRUZ BRP Velasquez arrived in the country Wednesday after almost a month and a half voyage from San Diego, California where it was formally turned over, christened and commissioned to the Philippine Navy service last April 27. A welcome ceremony attended by top defense and military officials was held at Pier 13 South Harbor, [...]