US Navy high-speed vessel to visit Davao

Davao City (27 June) — A leased commercial super ferry vessel operated by the U.S. Navy, the High-Speed Vessel -1 (HSV) Joint Venture, arrived in the Philippines on June 17 en route to providing humanitarian and civic assistance throughout the southern Philippine islands under joint U.S. Military-Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) humanitarian activities.

Since its arrival, the ship has transported Philippine doctors supporting the USNS Mercy mission from Tawi Tawi to Manila; hosted tours for school students; and moved humanitarian supplies from Manila to Zamboanga City and Parang in the Sulu Archipelago. Additional supply transport efforts and port visits are planned for General Santos City and Davao.

These supplies, which include hospital beds, medical supplies, and school books, have been donated to the people of the Philippines from the U.S. Agency for International Development’s (USAID) Books Across the Sea program and several non government organizations, including Knightsbridge International, the 3P Foundation, and the Makati Rotary Club. The AFP will help distribute these important supplies throughout the southern Philippines.

The mission of the Joint Venture supports the longstanding ties between the United States and the Philippines, as well as the two nations’ continued commitment to work together for those in need of humanitarian assistance.

The Pearl Harbor-homeported ship is a uniquely designed catamaran that can reach speeds of more than 30 knots, enabling a rapid response in times of crisis. The ship visited the Philippines twice in 2005. In July 2005, students from the Manila Science High School toured the vessel and in October 2005 the High-Speed Vessel-1 (HSV) Joint Venture visited the Philippines again to support humanitarian and civic projects.

Credentialed members of the media are invited to participate in brief ship tour and media availability in Davao on June 30, 2006. The media visit is planned for the morning and further details will be forthcoming. You are requested to notify Public Affairs Officer CDR Katy Wright of your interest in attending no later than 9:00 a.m. on Wednesday, June 28 by e-mailing wrightk@oef-p2.jtf.pacom.mil or calling 0906-304-2960. (PIA)