Guardian Salvage

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 completed the removal of the Guardian from the reef. The U.S. Navy and contracted salvage teams continue damage assessments and the removal of equipment and parts to prepare the grounded ship to be safely dismantled and removed from Tubbataha Reef. The U.S. Navy continues to work in close cooperation with the Philippine authorities to safely dismantle Guardian from the reef while minimizing environmental effects. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Kelby Sanders/Released)