Divers to re-assess Tubbataha damage after dismantling of USS Guardian

MANILA, Philippines – Joint assessment of the Philippine Coast Guard, US Navy and Tubbataha Reef Management on the damage caused by the grounding of USS Guardian on the Sulu Sea continued on Wednesday.

A Radyo Inquirer 990AM report from Erwin Aguilon quoted PCG commandant Rear Admiral Rodolfo Isorena as saying that they will evaluate if the damage has exceeded the current 4,000 square meters.

He also added that after the dismantling of the warship, divers will again assess the overall damage to corals.

According to Isorena, Tubbataha stakeholders supported the salvage operations to break down into pieces the US Navy minesweeper, said the report.

Isorena added that the crane ship SMIT Borneo is just waiting for an order to start the salvage work.

The USS Guardian ran aground on the Tubbataha Reef National Marine Park on January 17. John Daryl Dimalanta