The Japan International Cooperation Agency JICA has said that the ceremony marking the start of construction of Philippine Coast Guard PCG, S-94 meter multi-role response vessels MRRV has been conducted in Japan. In Japan, it is a tradition to hold a prayer ceremony for safe construction of ships and to mark the beginning of vessel construction. The prayer is led by a Shinto priest who offers sacred spring and a cup of sacred sake, JICA said. Earlier this year, Mitsubishi Shipbuilding and the Philippine government entered into agreement for construction of 2.94 meter MRRVs. The acquisition is funded through a loan provided by JICA under the Maritime Safety Capability Improvement Project MSCIP for the Philippine Coast Guard ECG, Phase 2. According to Mitsubishi, the MRRVs on order are vessels with length overall of approximately 94 meters. They also have a maximum speed of not less than 24 knots and an endurance of not less than 4,000 nautical miles. Both vessels will be equipped with secured communication systems for exclusive economic zone EZ surveillance, Helidec and a hangar for helicopter operations, an underwater remotely operated vehicle for sub-surface search and survey, and high speed rubber boats. Mitsubishi said the vessels will be built at Shimano-Seki Shipyard and machinery works for completion and delivery in 2022.