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PS Mariano Alvarez Class

The Philippines recieved the BRP Mariano Alvarez (PS-38) patrol corvette from the United States in June 2003. The Mariano Alveraz is the only ship of its class in the Philippine Navy, and was formerly the USS Cyclone, the lead ship of its class. It had been originally laid down in 1991, entering service 2 years later in 1993. Originally intended for use by special operations forces, the Cyclone class were found to be too large to be useful in such a role. The Cyclone was transferred to the US Coast Guard in January 2000, but was laid up soon there after due to a lack of funds.

Eventually it was decided on 8 March 2004 to transfer her to the Philippines as part of a larger aid package. The cost of repair and rehabilitation of the vessel, estimated at $17 million, was sourced from the Foreign Military Financing Program and the Presidential Drawdown Authority of US President George W. Bush. US President George W. Bush had first offered the ship to the Philippines during President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo's visit to the White House in November 2001.

The Mariano Alvarez became one of the more capable ships in the Philippine Navy at the time with a top speed of 35 knots and a modern armament of 2 25mm Bushmaster chain cannon and additional .50 caliber machine guns. Its intended missions were internal security operations, that would include anti-smuggling activities as well as search and rescue operations in case of sea tragedies. The last role had been highlighted by the Superferry 14 accident in February 2004.

The Mariano Alvarez also had provisions for an inflatable boat for Visit, Board, Search and Seizure (VBSS) type missions mounted on the rear deck with a launching crane. This capability and the ships speed and relatively light armament were all products of intended role of insertion and extraction of special operations forces. This ship also featured a modern electronics suite for naviation, communications, and fire control.

In 2005 the Mariano Alvarez was modified by Bollinger Shipyards, the original manufacturer, to have a full rear deck ramp for a 20-30' rigid hull inflatable boat instead of the earlier launching crane. The ramp extended below the waterline allowing for the boat to be launched and recovered without the need for additional handling equipment. Plans were also proposed for a refit of the ships light main armament.

Since its introduction the Mariano Alvarez has participated in the annual combined US-Philippines Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) exercises. The Mariano Alvarez has patricipated in numerous other exercises. In April 2005 the Mariano Alvarez patriciapted in the rescue of 4 fisherman who had been become stranded in the South China Sea. In July 2005 the Mariano Alvarez participated in the operations to rescue passengers and crew from the ferry M/V Princess of the World, which had caught fire while on route from Iloilo to Zamboanga.