Unmanned surface vessel for PCG first in Southeast Asia —UN office

A United Nations office has donated an uncrewed surface vessel (USV) to the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG). 

The first ever Unmanned Surface Vessel (USV) ???? for a Coast Guard Agency in Southeast Asia 1??. GMCP completed the Harbour Acceptance Test (HAT) and Sea Acceptance Trial (SAT) at Subic, Zambales of the USV for Philippines Coast Guard ????????.@Maritime_SEAsia @DamazoFrances pic.twitter.com/6XO4HOQ4Mx

— UNODC Global Maritime Crime Programme (@UNODC_MCP) August 29, 2024

In a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Thursday, the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC)-Global Maritime Crime Programme (GMCP) said that the USV underwent some tests in Subic, Zambales.

“The first ever USV for a Coast Guard Agency in Southeast Asia. GMCP completed the Harbour Acceptance Test and Sea Acceptance Trial at Subic, Zambales of the USV for PCG,” the UN office said.

The PCG said the turnover of the USV was originally set for Friday but it was postponed as the PCG leadership had an urgent concern to attend to.

According to the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, USVs are deployed ''to map the seafloor, water column, and marine habitats; conduct marine mammal and fishery stock assessments; monitor water and air quality; improve habitat suitability, hurricane forecast, and storm surge models; locate maritime heritage resources; and detect marine debris, oil spills, harmful substances, and illegal activities.'' — Joviland Rita/VBL, GMA Integrated News