After wrestling with various other options, the US Navy has announced that it has no other choice but to dismantle the minesweeping vessel that has been stranded on Tubbataha Reef since January 17, according Defense News, a news site about the US military.
The US Navy had been preparing to lift the entire ship with giant floating cranes to deeper water or onto another ship. But the close proximity of salvage ships to the reef for the lifting operation would pose a greater risk to the reef, the US Navy has determined.
“Our only supportable option is to dismantle the damaged ship and remove it in sections,” Capt. Darryn James, spokesman for the U.S. Pacific Fleet, told Defense News on Tuesday.
Lory Tan, president of WWF Philippines, lamented that dismantling the ship is the "least desirable" solution because the operation, though now apparently unavoidable, would entail more movement on the reef than if the ship were lifted intact.
"It's too early to say, but basta may gumalaw dyan, may pwede mangyari," said Tan, who is also a member of Tubbataha's protected area management board.
"If they're not careful, it could be messy," he added.
The grounding of the USS Guardian is an unprecedented problem for the US Navy with a complex mix of crucial factors, including unpredictable weather conditions, the coordination between the two governments, and environmental concerns.
"We suggested in the beginning that (the Tubbataha Task Force) develop various (recovery) scenarios. The last option was the breakup," he added.
The US Navy has apparently decided that the last and least desireable option is now probably the only option. — KG/HS, GMA News
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