7-meter Rigid Hull Inflatable Boats (RHIB) with Outboard Motor (2018) Acquisition Project of the Philippine Coast Guard

The Philippine Coast Guard embarked on the acquisition of Rigid Inflatable Boats (RHIB) with Outboard Motors at it beef up its inshore capabilities. This specific project was undertaken in 2018, as similar projects were undertaken previously, or under different acquisition projects.

We thank one of our contributors, Herbie, for providing some details on this project to allow this resource page to be created.

One of the first delivered 7-meter RHIB as seen as of September 2019. Photo shared exclusively to MaxDefense Philippines by one of our source.

The 7-meter RHIBs during presentation by the PCG held on 25 July 2019. Photo taken from PCG's FB page.

Project Summary:

7-meter Rigid Hull Inflatable Boats (RHIB) with Trailer Acquisition Project:

Note: Edited as of 12 April 2020.

* End User: Philippine Coast Guard

* Quantity: 12 units

* Project ABC: Php236,400,000.00

* Acquisition Mode: Public Bidding

* Source of Funding: GAA

* SARO Release/s: TBA

* Winning Proponent: Pacificfortia Marine Technologies Inc. - Ocean Protecta Inc. Joint Venture
* Product for Delivery: Trenton 7-meter RHIB
* Contract Price: Php130,626,000.00

* Residual Amount: Php105,774,000.00

* First post by MaxDefense: 20 January 2017

* MaxDefense Searching Hashtag: #PCGRHIB2018Acquisition

* Status: Awarded to Pacificfortia Marine Technologies Inc. - OPI Joint Venture on June 2018. Deliveries completed as of July 2019. PROJECT COMPLETED.

Photo taken from PCG's FB page.

Overview:

The RHIBs are expected to be suitable for patrol and interception tasks, transport of crew and equipment, rescue operations, and diving support.

It shall have the following requirements:

* Length overall: 7 meters minimum

* Beam overall: 2.8 meters minimum

* Draft: 1.2-1.4 meters up to maximum loading condition

* Weight w/o Engines and Equipment: 640 to 700 kilograms

* Overall weight: 2,640 to 2,800 kilograms

The boats are powered by two outboard motors allowing speeds of up to 30-40 knots with 6 men onboard. The boasts should be capable of operating up to Sea State 4, and a passenger capacity of around 10-12 people.

The boats are equipped with navigational equipment including X-band radar and GPS plotter, as well as communications equipment consisting of a marine VHF radio. It will also be equipped with three weapon mounts (1 forward for .50-caliber machine gun, 2 midship post and starboard sides for 7.62mm machine guns), search lights, siren with PA system, and will include a trailer and towing/mooring equipment.

One RHIB will be deployed to 12 PCG districts, specifically North-western Luzon, National Capital Region, Coast Guard Special Operations Force based in Manila, Bicol, Southern Tagalog, Central Visayas, Eastern Visayas, Western Visayas, Southwestern Mindanao, South-eastern Mindanao, Palawan, and Northern Mindanao.

To properly identify the RHIBs delivered under this project, notice the orange-colored foldable roof, which is different from those delivered under other similar projects.

Photo taken from PCG's Facebook page.

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U P D A T E S:

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05 June 2018:

The public bidding for the Rigid Hull Inflatable Boats (RHIB) with Outboard Motor proceeded with the Submission and Opening of Bid Envelopes (SOBE) on 24 May 2018, with 7 suppliers found eligible.

Of the seven eligible suppliers, Pacficfortia Marine Technologies - Ocean Protecta Inc. Joint Venture was found to be the lowest bidder with a bid amount of Php130,626,000.00. Second lowest bidder was DCX Philippines Enterprises with a bid amount of Php168,888,000.00, and third lowest was was MCX International Inc - Stoneworks Specialist International Joint Venture with a bid amount of Php186,408,000.00.

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17 June 2018:

MaxDefense received a copy of the resolution released by the PCG's Bids and Awards Committee (BAC), declaring Pacificfortia - OPI Joint Venture as the Lowest Calculated and Responsive Bidder.

Bid amount remains at Php130,626,000.00, or almost half of the ABC of the project. This allows a huge savings for the PCG which it can use for other projects.

With this, Pre-Qualification Inspections (PQI) is expected to proceed soon to determine if Pacificfortia-OPI JV can meet requirements specified by the tender.

The last page of the resolution released by the PCG-BAC declaring Pacificforita-OPI JV as lowest calculated and responsive bidder. Photo taken from PCG's documents.

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25 July 2018:

MaxDefense received confirmation that Pacificfortia - OPI Joint Venture passed the PQI held last month, and was immediately awarded the contract on 20 June 2018.This was also confirmed by PhilGEPS in its website.

Delivery will be divided into two batches: 1st batch of 6 units within 150 calendar days, and another batch of 6 units within 60 calendar days after the first batch.

It means the first batch is expected to be delivered by late December 2018, and the second batch by late February 2019.

PhilGEPS confirming the award to Pacficfortia-OPI JV as of June 2018. Photo screengrabbed from PhilGEPS website.

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03 March 2019:

As part of the Philippine Coast Guard's modernization, MaxDefense previously reported that two projects were acquired recently, one for 12 units of Rigid Hull Inflatable Boats (RHIB) and one for 20 units of Aluminium Boats. Both projects were awarded to Pacificfortia Marine Technologies, which were delivered starting last October 2018 during the PCG's anniversary. For the RHIB, Pacificfortia delivered Trenton brand 7-meter RHIBs.

To improve the PCG's use of these assets, Pacificfortia recently conducted a 3-day training course for PCG personnel held in Anilao, Batanagas. MaxDefense believes that this is part of Pacificfortia's contract with the PCG.

Pacificfortia provided an RHIB and aluminium boat for training of PCG personnel as part of the contract to supply similar equipment to the PCG. The RHIB in photo is not exactly the one to be delivered to the PCG under this project. Photo shared exclusively to MaxDefense by a source.

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06 March 2019:

It was reported on the Facebook page of Landoor Pier in Batangas, that testing was being done by Pacificfortia Marine Technologies on some of the 7-meter Trenton RHIBs intended for the Philippine Coast Guard.

It appears that testing means conducting pre-delivery testing, considering the boats are expected for delivery to the PCG in a few months time.

Since some of the boats were already seen being used for training purposes, this means that these boats undergoing testing may be among those delivered as a later date.

One of the Trenton 7-meter RHIB being unloaded by a crane for seafaring tests prior to delivery to the PCG. Photo taken from Landoor Pier's Facebook page.

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05 July 2019:

The Philippine Coast Guard confirmed that they are expected to receive the 12 7-meter RHIBs it ordered from Pacificfortia-OPI JV last year.

Based on the description made by the DOTr, the RHIBs expected to be completely delivered this month are indeed the RHIBs from Pacficfortia-OPI JV, since the PCG has also taken delivery of 7-meter RHIBs from Japan which were acquired separately (a separate resource page discusses that acquisition).

While these RHIBs are also 7-meters in length, it appears that the DOTr used photos of the Japanese-donated RHIBs rather than the ones supplied by Pacificfortia-OPI JV. Photo taken from DOTr's FB page.

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25 July 2019:

The Philippine Coast Guard presented several of their new assets meant for maritime rescue operations and capability enhancements. Among those presented are the twelve (12) new 7-meter Rigid Hull Inflatable Boats (RHIB) delivered by Pacificfortia Marine Technologies Inc.

Department of Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade and Department of National Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana were both present during the presentation, wherein Sec. Tugade said that the new equipment will further boost the morale of the PCG in safeguarding the country’s waters.

The PCG presented their new assets including the 12 7-meter RHIBs on 25 July 2019. Photo taken from DOTr's official FB page.

The RHIBs during the presentation held by the PCG on 25 July 2019. Above photo shows it with one of the Boracay-class fast patrol boat. Photos taken from PCG's Facebook page.

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With the boats already delivered and formally activated as with the Philippine Coast Guard, MaxDefense officially consider the 7-meter Rigid Hull Inflatable Boat with Outboard Motor Project of the Philippine Coast Guard as COMPLETED.