USCG Boutwell to be Formally Transferred to PN, to be Renamed BRP Andres Bonifacio

MANILA, July 21 (PNA) — The United States Coast Guard will be formally transferring its decommissioned cutter, the USCGC Boutwell, to the Philippine Navy (PN) by July 21 (American time).

The ship will named the BRP Andres Bonifacio (FF-17) and will be prospectively commanded by Capt. Brendo J. Casaclang upon transfer to the PN.

She will be the third Hamilton class cutter in PN service after the BRP Gregorio Del Pilar (FF-15) and BRP Ramon Alcaraz (FF-16).

Transfer will take place at Coast Guard Base Alameda, California. The USCGC Boutwell was declared an excess government and will be transferred to the Philippines through the Excesss Defense Articles (EDA) program.

US Coast Guard assistant commandant for acquisition and chief acquisition officer, Rear Admiral Joseph M. Vojvodich will be the presiding officer over the transfer ceremonies

While Philippine Fleet commander Rear Admiral Bayani Gaerlan will be formally accepting the chief for the PN.

The USCGC Boutwell was decommissioned March 16 at San Diego after 50 years of service to the nation.

She is the third and longest-serving cutter named after the former US Secretary of the Treasury, George Sewall Boutwell.

Under the EDA program, defense articles, or military equipment that are declared excess, can be offered to foreign governments or international organizations. Typically, EDA is transferred to US allies for their modernization efforts. (PNA) BNB/PFN