Tubbataha caretaker reveals 'major progress' in USS Guardian salvage ops

Thanks to good weather, there was "major progress" in the salvaging of the grounded minesweeper USS Guardian this week, caretakers of Tubbataha Reef said over the weekend.

 

In a blog post, the Tubbataha Management Office noted the Philippine Coast Guard still plans to finish the salvage operations by March 23.

 

"Good weather this week has allowed significant progress to be made in salvaging the USS Guardian, which has been grounded on Tubbataha Reefs since January 17, 2013," it said. Inclement weather conditions last week had endangered the safety of the salvage crews and forced a delay in the salvage operations.

 

USS Guardian ran aground at Tubbataha Reef last Jan. 17, and TMO officials estimate it may have damaged 4,000 square meters of the reef.

 

The TMO said the USS Guardian's weather deck was completely cleared last Feb. 27.

 

Also, the funnel and mast had been dismantled while navigational equipment and controls were removed.

 

"The salvage team is now working on the second level of the US minesweeper and will then conduct diving operations to inspect the submerged section of its hull," the TMO said.  — ELR, GMA News