PCG, US Navy Mapping Out Salvage Plan to Remove Stranded Minesweeper

Published Jan 24, 2013 2:21 PM by The Maritime Executive

Transportation Secretary Joseph Emilio Aguinaldo Abaya said that the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) continues to work closely with the US Navy, the Philippine Navy and other environmentalist groups to carefully remove the stranded US Navy minesweeper USS Guardian at Tubbataha Reef in Sulu Sea without causing more environmental damage.

PCG Rear Admiral Rodolfo D. Isorena said in a report to Abaya that there is no oil leakage/spillage despite the damage to the [wooden] hull and propeller of the stranded ship. Its fuel tanks also appear to be intact.

In contrast to the steel-hulled minesweepers of WWII, the new minesweepers were built mostly of wood with bronze and stainless steel fittings to minimize their magnetic signature.

The PCG and US Navy are also continuously monitoring the exact location of the USS Guardian. The waves hitting Tubbataha reefs especially in the afternoon are rough to very rough brought by the north easterly winds.

The PCG report said that the US Navy is currently conducting assessment of hazardous materials on board the USS Guardian to ensure nothing will spill within the area that would further damage the corals.

The report added that the US Navy is assessing the damage to the USS Guardian including implementing risk management and conducting hydrographic survey.

In a press briefing today on site, DOTC Undersecretary (Eduardo) Oban (Jr.) said on-scene US commander Admiral Thomas Carney confirmed that USNS Salvor, a large US vessel that will aid in the salvage will be deployed on the site. The ship is expected to arrive tomorrow [January 25].

Part of the salvage plan is to use a crane with high lifting capacity to lift the stranded ship instead of dragging it that would cause more damage to the corals.

The crane is expected to arrive the site on 30 January 2013.

The Inspection Team assessed that approximately 1,000 square meters of corals have been severely damaged due to the incident.

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Source: http://www.coastguard.gov.ph/