The Presbitero Anchor: Vol 1 Issue 1

THE WRITTEN PUBLICATION OF BRP HYDROGRAPHER PRESBITERO
TODAY: SCATTERED THUNDERSTORMS | TOMORROW: THUNDERSTORMS
TUESDAY, 29 DECEMBER 2020
RECAP 2020
VESSEL OPERATIONS CONTINUE AMIDST PANDEMIC
OfficerswiththevesseldrydockedatHermaShipyard.
Even with the presence of the pandemic,
key tasks were accomplished this year.
Safety measures had to be observed
during activities which made their
execution extra difficult. Nevertheless,
fulfillment of these duties made it more
rewarding.
SUBIC BAY SURVEY
With the concerted effort of BRP
HydrographerPalma, BRPHydrographer
Hizon,BRPHydrographerPresbitero,and
with the assistance of BRP Hydrographer
Ventura, the annual hydrographic survey
of specific piers and wharves within Subic
Baywasaccomplished.
From July to August, the crew was able to
conduct data acquisition on Bravo Wharf,
Rivera Wharf, Alava Wharf, New Marine
Terminal,SubicDock,BotonWharf,Leyte
Wharf,LowerMau,andHanjinTerminal.
Buoy positions within Subic Bay were
updated. Tidal levelling was conducted as
wellatSubicBayPrimaryTideStation.
DRY DOCKING
is a part of a ship’s
maintenance cycle in
order to keep its integrity
&seaworthiness.
On April 28 – while the
pandemic was on its early
stages in the country, and
an Enhanced Community
Quarantine was still being
implemented – the vessel
entered the graving dock
of Herma Shipyard in
Mariveles, Bataan. No
crew was granted liberty during the whole
duration of activities. This was a sacrifice to
ensure the safety of all. Dry docking lasted
untilJune4,2020.
From September to present, works in
progress were in line with the Command’s
preparation for activities of the coming year.
These include major works with the ship’s
engine, replacement and repairs of
machineries which were not included in dry
docking, and other relevant machinery
concerns. Regular maintenance of survey
equipmenthasbeencarriedoutaswell.
With the current situation, the Command
believes that all is not lost. With proper
planning, teamwork, and dedication, the
Command can accomplish everything
without compromising the welfare of
everyone.
PlaqueaboardthevesselfromFactoriasVulcano.
DID YOU KNOW?
BRPH Presbitero was born (constructed)
in Factorias Vulcano Shipyard in Vigo,
Spain in 1998. Officers and Non-
Commissioned Officers (formerly
Enlisted Men) of NAMRIA were sent to
Spain and received formal training with
heroperation.
On the 1st day of September of the same
year – manned by NAMRIA personnel
together with their Spanish counterparts
–Presbiterobeganherjourneytothe
Philippines. She traversed the
Mediterranean Sea and stopped for a day
atPortSaid,Egypt–thenorthgateofSuez
Canal – and waited for the ship’s turn to
cross the channel. After crossing Port
Suez – its south gate – Presbitero passed
through the Red Sea and paused for
another day in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia for
bunkering(refuel).
She continued her journey through the
Gulf of Aden out to the Arabian Sea and
Indian Ocean. She stayed in Singapore for
three more days for another bunkering
beforeproceedingtothelastlegofhertrip
tothePhilippines.
Finally, after 46 grueling days of
navigation, rough seas and strong winds,
bright and brave crew members of
Presbitero were able to accomplish the
task.TheshiparrivedatthePortofManila
on the 16th of October 1998. High
ranking NAMRIA officials were present
on that day to welcome, with festive
atmosphere, the first of the country’s
modernsurveyvessels.
Among the first survey expeditions of
BRP H Presbitero were Surigao Strait and
PuertoPrincesaCity.—Hydro318.

THE WRITTEN PUBLICATION OF BRP HYDROGRAPHER PRESBITERO
PADAYON!
byHydro318
HereareyourCrewoftheMonth!
Thefollowingpersonnelwereawardedwith
certificates of appreciation after being
recognized as the top performing crew
members for the month of November. They
were awarded as well with gift checks
courtesyofthePresbiteroStore!
1.P/EnsignHermanMLegaspi
CommissionedOfficers
2.PO3TeddyCTrinidad
CommunicationsandInstrumentations
3.SN2RogelioMNipales
Deckworks&Security
4.SN3LeonyVBulliag
Machineries
So you also, when you have done all that you were
commanded, say “We are unworthy servants; we
haveonlydonewhatwasourduty.”Luke17:10
CommodorePresbitero
PRESBITERO—
THE DIRECTOR
byHydro318
BRP Hydrographer Presbitero stands for
Barko ng Republika ng Pilipinas
Hydrographer Presbitero.
The ship is named after Commodore Jayme
Villanueva Presbitero, a commissioned
officerwhoservedasadirectorofBureauof
Coast and Geodetic Survey (BCGS) under
theMinistryofDefense–laterchangedinto
Coast and Geodetic Survey Department of
NAMRIA and now known as Hydrography
Branch.
Commodore Presbitero was the fourth
Filipino Director of BCGS who oversaw the
bureau from 1973 until his retirement in
1977. Born on 03 November 1918 in the
townofValladolid,NegrosOccidental,
Commodore Presbitero was a graduate of
Mining Engineering in University of the
Philippines. He was also a trainee under the
UnitedStatesCoastandGeodeticSurvey.In
1941, he served as a Lieutenant of the 2nd
Batallion, 76th Infantry, Seventh Military
District.
During his last year in the service, Commo.
Presbitero attended the Eighth United
Nations Regional Cartographic Conference
for Asia and the Far East held in Bangkok,
Thailand, from 17-28 of January 1977.
Among the 221 representatives and
observers from 40 countries, Presbitero
was elected as Rapporteur of Technical
Committee IV. During that conference, four
committees handled separate agendas. His
committee discussed concerns regarding
HydrographicSurveyingandCharting.
On the commissioning ceremony in 1998,
Mrs. Hilda Sian Presbitero – the wife of
Commo. Presbitero – personally attended
the event to witness the baptism of the ship
bearingherhusband’sname.
Sources:
1.CPO.EnriqueGCamairaJr,1sthandwitness
2.8thUNRegionalCartographicConferenceforAsiaandtheFarEastVolumeI–
ReportoftheConference–UN,NewYork,1977.
3.NAMRIAInfomapper,VolumeVIIINumberISSN-0177-1674,1July2001
ENTERTAINMENT
ACROSS
1Theforwardpartoftheupperdeckofa
vessel,especiallythatpartforward
oftheforemast
4Theright-handsideofordirectionfroma
vesseloraircraft,facingforward.
7Thechiefstructuralmemberofaboatorship
thatextendsalongthecenterofitsbottom.
9Tomakeone'swayoverorthrough
10 A long pole or spar rising from the keel or
deck of a ship and supporting the yards,
booms,andrigging
12 An underwater blade that is positioned at
the stern of a boat or ship and controlled by its
helmandthatwhenturnedcausesthevessel's
headtoturninthesamedirection
13Theupperedgeofaship'sorboat'sside
OUR CONDOLENCES
The BRP H Presbitero Command wishes to
convey our deepest sympathy to the
bereaved family of Seaman 2nd Class
NorbertoL.Acuña,NAMRIA.
Jojo-ashewasfondlycalled-hadservedthe
agency from 1999 up to the time of his
demise. His contributions to the service will
foreverbeappreciated.
Hoistyoursail,Sailor!Calmseaawaitsyou.
13Theupperedgeofaship'sorboat'sside
14 To make fast with or as if with cables, lines,
oranchors
DOWN
THE EDITORIAL BOARD
Presbitero2020OfficerCorps
Layout byHydro345
Thisisyourshipandweareyourhumblecrew.
WEAREYOURPRESBITERO.
2Theportionofavesselbehindthemiddlearea
ofthevessel.
3Towardstheleft-hand
side of the ship facing
forward (formerly
larboard).
5Ofavesselthatisnot
agroundorsunk;borneon
orasifonthewater
6Theextensionofaship's
side above the level of the
upperdeck.
8Therearpartofaship
11 Off to the side of a ship
or plane especially at a
rightangletothemiddleof
theship