Probe says 'lack of leadership' caused Tubbataha grounding of USS Guardian

From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 21): Probe says 'lack of leadership' caused Tubbataha grounding of USS Guardian

The US Pacific Fleet on Thursday (American time) attributed the grounding and subsequent lost of the minesweeper USS Guardian (MCM-5) due to "lack of leadership" among the ship's watch crew.

The ship ran aground off Tubbataha Reef, Sulu Sea last January 17.

In its 160-page investigation report, U.S. Pacific Fleet commander Admiral Cecil D. Haney called the incident a "tragic mishap".

"USS Guardian leadership and watch teams failed to adhere to prudent, safe, and sound navigation principles which would have alerted them to approaching dangers with sufficient time to take mitigating action," he added.

Haney further summarized that a "lack of leadership" led to the watch team's disregard of visual cues, electronic cues and alarms in the hours leading up to the grounding, and that an ultimate reliance on what would turn out to be inaccurate Digital Nautical Charts (DNC) during the planning and execution of the navigation plan ultimately led to a degradation of the ship's navigation ability.

Haney did however have words of praise for the "heroic efforts of the crew to save their ship."

Highlighting the actions of the engineering and damage control teams, the U.S. Pacific Fleet commander stressed that their efforts were instrumental in reinforcing the ship's hull integrity despite multiple breaches.

He also commended the boat coxswains, damage control assistant, and the Navy rescue swimmers who all ensured the safe evacuation of the crew without significant injuries.

The commanding officer of ex-USS Guardian, Lt. Cmdr. Mark Rice, the executive officer/navigator Lt. Daniel Tyler, the assistant navigator, and the officer of the deck at the time of the grounding were relieved of their duties on April 3 by Rear Admiral. Jeffrey A. Harley, commander, Expeditionary Strike Group 7.

Further administrative action is under consideration.

The Avenger-class mine countermeasures ship had just completed a port call in Subic Bay and was en route to Indonesia and then on to Timor-Leste to participate in a training exercise when the grounding occurred, approximately 80 miles east-southeast of Palawan Island.

The USS Guardian was subsequently dismantled, decommissioned and stricken from the naval registry.

Her wreck was removed from Tubbataha Reef last March 30.

After the incident, the United States and Philippines conducted a joint marine damage assessment.

The U.S. government is prepared to work with the Philippines to provide compensation for the damage to the reef caused by the grounding.

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