Crew members start salvage work on USS Guardian

Citing "improving" weather in the area, salvage crew members on Friday started working on removing the grounded minesweeper USS Guardian from Tubbataha Reef.

 

The Philippine Coast Guard said the crane ship JASCON 25 started establishing its position near the ship, radio dzBB's Manny Vargas reported.

 

Coast Guard spokesman Lt. Cmdr. Armand Balilo was quoted in the report as saying that they decided to push through with the salvage work as the weather in the Tubbataha area had improved compared to Thursday.

 

On Wednesday and Thursday, big waves, poor visibility and bad weather conditions threatened the safety of the salvage personnel.

 

While state weather forecasters noted Tropical Depression Crising had already exited the Philippine area of responsibility Thursday evening, they said rain may still fall on parts of Luzon, including Metro Manila.

 

On Friday, the dzBB report said the salvage crews started analyzing how to cut up the USS Guardian to remove it from the area.

 

It said the crew members are hopeful the weather will be cooperative this time. — RSJ, GMA News