Sauter Carbon Offset Design (SCOD) is offering its new “ultra green” catamaran called “Sea Eagle” to the US Coast Guard in an unsolicited proposal to beef up American homeland security. With helipad and underwater ROV (Remote Ocean Vehicle), the E-Class Sea Eagle is said to use less than half as much fuel to go 10% faster compared with the USCG Sentinel Class Fast Response Cutters in use today. Instead of the Sentinel’s 11,500hp from tier 2 diesel engines, it uses a total of 5,000hp from solar hybrid power sources which include cleaner MTU tier 4i diesels. Maximum speed is 32 knots. The under-equipped Philippine Coast Guard should probably acquire several units of the Sea Eagle to show China that the Filipinos have the maritime assets to check Chinese incursions into Scarborough Shoal. ~Barista Uno
Click here to zoom image with the vessel particulars
The Philippines had 65 years of independence to build a credible and effective national defence. It elected not to do so. It can’t can’t ask the US to back its POV regarding UNCLOS because the US hasn’t signed up to UNCLOS.
Following the expulsion of the US bases – like Subic Bay Naval station which is a little south of Masinloc, which is notionally responsible for Scarborough Shoals – I’m afraid there is little sympathy for the Philippines.
The Philippines has a shipbuilding capability. It needs to use it for its own defence.
I agree with Bob Couttie. The Philippines can and should build ships for its own defence. Pity Aboitiz Marine had to close down its shipyard for lack of orders when our navy and coast guard need a couple more ships.