BRP Gregorio Velasquez is Philippine Navy's first oceanographic research vessel. (UNOLS). The US Government confirmed on 17 November 2015 that the Melville was to be transferred to the Philippine Navy as Excess Defense Articles (EDA)s.

Construction

Melville (AGOR 14) was laid down on 12 July 1967 by the Defoe Shipbuilding Company in Bay City, Michigan, launched on 10 July 1968 sponsored by Marguerite "Peg" Kletchka Cederberg, wife of Congressman Elford Cederberg. The ship, second given the name by the Navy, was completed and delivered to the Navy on 1 August 1969 then placed in service with the Military Sea Transportation Service as USNS Melville (T-AGOR 14). Melville was chartered to the Scripps Institution of Oceanography for operation by the Office of Naval Research as part of the UNOLS fleet.

Though often listed as a Robert D. Conrad-class oceanographic research ship the ship is of an entirely different appearance, design and size as evidenced by Melvilles 2,944 vs. Conrad's 1,370 loaded displacement, dimensions of 279' X 46' X 16.6' as opposed to Conrad's 208'10" X 37'5" X 15'2", general appearance and layout and, most distinctly, completely different propulsion systems and capabilities. Melville's original system was a cycloidal system with propulsion later modified to an advanced system of twin 1,385 hp diesel electric engines driving 1,385 hp Z-Drive Lips with a 900 hp Retractable Azimuthing Thruster allowing the ship to move 360° under main engines while Conrad's was single screw 2,500shp diesel-electric with a retractable azmuthing bow thruster.

Sister ship

Melville's sister ship is the R/V Knorr, best known as the ship which located the wreck of the RMS Titanic in 1985, which was also launched in 1968.

Designation

Melville was named for George Melville, a pioneer arctic explorer and Rear Admiral in the United States Navy, who was Chief of the Bureau of Steam Engineering from 1887 to 1903.

Operating personnel

A crew of 23 keeps the ship operational, and up to 38 scientists can be accommodated for the purposes of the scientific expedition.

Operational history

Melville was configured as a general purpose oceanographic vessel of the Global Class operating world wide. The ship sailed over 1.5 million miles and crossed the equator more than 90 times. With an expected useful life of 30 years the ship underwent a service life extension in 1992 to give the additional years service before retirement after 45 years of service. On 29 April 2016, the ship was formally turned over and commissioned to the Philippine Navy at a ceremony held in San Diego, California. The ship was renamed BRP Gregorio Velasquez, after a Filipino National Scientist, and assigned the pennant number AGR-702. The ship is expected to provide the Philippine Navy with hydrographic survey and maritime research capabilities.

References

  • Scripps Institution of Oceanography: R/V Melville Specifications
  • NHHC Online Library of Selected Images: USNS Melville (T-AGOR-14)* http://shipsked.ucsd.edu/Ships/Melville/
  • AGOR Numeric List