Two LCHs to (be) Immediately Commissioned into PN Service

04 Juli 2015

HMAS Brunei L-127 and HMAS Tarakan L-129 (photo : Aus DoD)

Manila (PNA) - The Philippine Navy (PN) expects the arrival in the country of two Australian donated ships late this month.

Upon arrival, the two LCHs (landing craft heavy) will be immediately commissioned into Philippine Navy (PN) service, according to PN public affairs office chief Cmdr. Lued Lincuna said.

This is because the two Australian donated ships are operational and will leave Cairns under their own power, Lincuna said.

"They are operational and will require no refurbishment upon arrival in the Philippines," he added.

The PN operates around five LCUs in its fleet.

The two LCHs are expected to arrive in the Philippines by the last week of July or first week of August at the latest.

Lincuna said that this timetable was dependent on weather conditions considering that July and August were the usual typhoon months in the country.

He added that an initial sailing crew of 10 PN personnel had already departed for Cairns last June 29.

These men will compose the initial training and logistic crews of the two ships. Another 20 Navy personnel are expected to leave for Australia anytime this month to join the first group.

These LCHs are named the HMAS Tarakan and HMAS Brunei in the Royal Australian Navy service.

The two LCHs were decommissioned from Australian service at a ceremony in Cairns last Nov. 19, 2014.

LCHs are an extremely versatile vessel, capable of moving large amounts of cargo, personnel and equipment from larger ships to shore.

A very shallow draft (two meters) allows these ships to deliver personnel and equipment to areas otherwise unreachable especially during humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations (HADR).

It is an all-welded twin-screw vessel, able to trans-ship cargo and supplies from ships lying offshore to water terminals or across the beach.

Maximum cargo load is governed by the load-fuel balance and varies between 140 and 180 tons.

A typical load of 175 ton gives the LCHs a range of 1,300 nautical miles, increasing to 2,280 nautical miles for a load of 150 tons.

Up to five shipping containers with HADR supplies and equipment can also be loaded in an LCH.

An LCHs is 44.5 meters long and have a draft of two meters, beam of 10.1 meters and displacement of 364 tons.

It has a speed of 10 to 13 knots and a range of 3,000 nautical miles and a crew of 15.

(PNA)