SULU SEA, Philippines (March 30, 2013) - The U.S. Navy contracted crane vessel M/V Jascon 25 removes the stern section from the mine countermeasure ship Ex-Guardian (MCM 5), which ran aground on the Tubbataha Reef Jan. 17, and places it onto the barge Seabridge. The removal of the stern section completes the hull removal of the Guardian from the reef. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Kelby Sanders)
The U.S. 7th Fleet announced the completion of the salvage operation on Ex-Guardian (MCM 5), 72 days after the 224-foot mine countermeasure ship ran aground on the Tubbataha reef, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
A statement sent to Manila Bulletin by the US 7th Fleet public affairs indicated that the final section of the hull, the stern section which weighed approximately 250 tons, was safely lifted from reef on Saturday.
"U.S. Navy and contracted salvage personnel embarked onboard the U.S. Navy contracted crane vessel M/V Jascon 25 completed on March 30th, the removal of the grounded mine countermeasures ship Ex-Guardian from the Tubbataha Reef," read the statement.
Capt. Mark Matthews, supervisor of salvage, said that "as the hull has been removed, the team is now shifting their effort to collecting minor debris that remains on the reef."
"We also have a collaborative team from the U.S. and the Philippines beginning to assess the condition of the reef,” Matthews added.
“Every salvage operation presents unique challenges. It has been difficult to extract the Guardian without causing further damage to the reef, but the U.S. Navy and SMIT salvage team with support from other companies and the government of the Philippines have really done a superb job. I could not be more proud,” Matthews further said.
It can be recalled that the Avenger-class minesweeper had just completed a port visit in Subic Bay and was transiting Sulu Sea en route to Indonesia when it ran aground at the world heritage site around 2:25 a.m. on January 17. The ship hit the Tubbataha Reef's south atoll and has been stuck since then.
US authorities have repeatedly issued an apology over the incident.
"As a protector of the sea and a Sailor myself, I greatly regret any damage this incident has caused to the Tubbataha Reef,” said US Navy Vice Adm. Scott Swift days following the incident.
"We know the significance of the Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park and its importance as a World Heritage Site. Its protection is vital, and we take seriously our obligations to protect and preserve the maritime environment," he added.
Since Guardian's grounding, the Navy has been working meticulously to salvage any reusable equipment and remove any potentially harmful materials including petroleum-based products, human wastewater, and other debris.
The US Navy said no fuel has leaked since the grounding and all of the approximately 15,000 gallons aboard the USS Guardian were safely transferred off the ship in the early days of the salvage operation.
"We continue to work closely with the Philippine Coast Guard, Navy, and Tubbataha Reef Park Rangers, and we are grateful for the support we have received to remove Guardian and minimize further damage to the reef,” said Matthews.
Along with the Jascon 25, the USNS Safeguard (T-ARS 50), the SMIT Borneo, the Trabajador, the Intrepid, and the Archon Tide remain on scene supporting the cleanup operation.
As salvors worked to dismantle and remove the ship from the reef, Guardian's 23 years of service to the US Navy was concluded during a decommissioning ceremony March 6 at Naval Base Sasebo, Japan.
The US Navy said that over the years, Guardian played an integral role conducted several real-world mine neutralizations and search and rescue missions in the Arabian Gulf and has conducted several bi-lateral exercises with US partners partners throughout the 7th Fleet Area of Responsibility, since becoming a forward-deployed Naval asset in 1996.
While assigned to 5th Fleet, Guardian was the first mine countermeasure ship to perform a crew swap and established standards still in practice today.
Last week, Guardian's crew members took over the USS Warrior which arrived in Japan atop a heavy-lift vessel from Bahrain, where it just completed a deployment to the Navy’s 5th Fleet area of operations.
http://www.mb.com.ph/article.php?aid=5584&sid=1&subid=2
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