Guardian Coming Apart

3/27/2013 Strategy Page

SULU SEA (March 26, 2013) The U.S. Navy contracted crane vessel M/V Jascon 25 removes the bow of the mine countermeasure ship ex-Guardian (MCM 5). Guardian ran aground on the Tubbataha Reef Jan. 17. The U.S. Navy and contracted salvage teams continue damage assessments and the removal of equipment and parts to prepare the grounded ship to be safely dismantled and removed from Tubbataha Reef. The U.S. Navy continues to work in close cooperation with the Philippine authorities to safely dismantle Guardian from the reef while minimizing environmental effects. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Kelby Sanders)