BRP Lake Caliraya, Navy's first oil tanker, joins Philippine Fleet

A former tanker of the Philippine National Oil Company was commissioned into the Philippine Navy in rites at Fort San Felipe in Cavite City on Saturday.

 

According to the Philippine Navy, BRP Lake Caliraya (AF81), formerly MT Lapu-Lapu, was donated to the military in March 2014 and went through dry dock and repairs in Batangas and Cavite before beinf commissioned.

 

“With the commissioning of this oil tanker, the Navy has now a credible POL [petroleum, oil, lubricants] delivery platform that shall extend the operational range and scope of our ships especially those operating in the high seas and the [Exclusive Economic Zone],” Vice Adm. Jesus Millan, flag officer in command of the Philippine Navy, said.

 

BRP Lake Caliraya is a single product replenishment platform that has a depot-to-ship, ship-to-depot, and a ship-to-ship refueling capabilities, the Navy said.

 

Built in Zhejiang Zhongxing Shipyard in Taizhou, in the Peoples Republic of China in November 2007, the tanker was one of the biggest vessels in the PNOC's fleet and was used to transport bunker fuel across the country.

 

Now a part of the Philippine Fleet, BRP Lake Caliraya is commanded by Lt. Cmdr. Mamerto Goleta and crewed by selected officers and men of Sealift Amphibious Force. — JDS, GMA News