The Malaysian tug Vos Apollo (foreground) prepares for defueling operations near the grounded USS Guardian Jan. 24, 2013 while a U.S. Navy small boat approaches with a salvage team. Navy spokesman Lt. Cmdr. James Stockman said Wednesday Jan. 30, 2013 that dismantling the USS Guardian was determined to be the solution that would involve the least damage to the Tubbataha Reef, a protected marine sanctuary where the ship got stuck Jan. 17. - AP
Although the crane ship commission to lead the salvage of the US Navy minesweeper USS Guardian is now in Tubbataha Reef Natural Park in Palawan, the operation has yet to begin.
In a TV interview, Lieutenant Commander Armand Balilo, Philippine Coast Guard spokesman, said the rough waves and strong wind are preventing the M/T Jascon 25 from beginning the salvaging operation.
"This is why we say that we will begin the operation as the weather permits it. It all depends on the weather, and once the weather clears, we will begin," Balilo said.
He added that the ship that ran aground the World Heritage Site is no longer incurring further damage as it has remained "stable".
"The PCG assesses that the damage remains at 1,500 square meters," Balilo said.
The US has assured the DFA that Washington will "provide appropriate compensation for the damage" to the Tubbataha Reef caused by the grounding of the USS Guardian.
The USS Guardian will be salvaged to prevent it from causing further harm to the World Heritage Site.
The US Embassy has earlier said the US Agency for International Development will grant P4.1 million to a Philippine university to support coral restoration research at Tubbataha Reef.
http://www.philstar.com/nation/2013/02/18/910313/waves-wind-delay-salvage-uss-guardian
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