Stoneworks Specialists International Corp. conducted a sea trial of the two new patrol boats acquired by the Iloilo Provincial Government for its Bantay Dagat Task Force at the Philippine Coast Guard station in Brgy. Loboc, La Paz, Iloilo City and the Iloilo Strait.
The Bantay Dagat operatives were also given an orientation on how to operate the patrol boat as well as the use of its accessories.
The patrol boat, which costs PhP 3,499,500 each, has a hull length of 25-26 ft, breadth of 7-3 ft, and is being run by a 150 HP outboard (gasoline) motor, 4 stroke engine with hydraulic system and fuel water separator. It has a maximum speed of up to 30 knots.
Its hull is moulded fibreglass with a coat and foam-filled hull between stringers and a stainless plate bow guard.
The patrol boat is equipped with GPS, chart plotter combo with blue chart G2, VHF marine base radio with antenna, navigation lights and comes with galvanized trailers.
Provincial Administrator Raul Banias with General Services Office (GSO) chief Vicente Flores, Jr. and the staff from the Provincial Agriculture Office witnessed the conduct of the sea trial.
Banias thanked Philippine Coast Guard Iloilo Station Commander Paterno Belarmino, Jr. for allowing the conduct of the sea trial in their area.
Banias said the new patrol boats will help boost the provincial government’s campaign against illegal fishing activities, particularly in northern Iloilo.
He added that Gov. Arthur Defensor, Jr. has also approved the budget for the acquisition of additional Bantay Dagat patrol boats with outriggers to augment the existing floating assets.
